Jobs saved as consortium rescues historic Walsall leather business
A dozen jobs have been saved after three family firms joined forces to rescue an historic Walsall leather business.
Sedgwick & Co had faced closure after collapsing into administration along with its parent group, Clayton.
The tannery, which has supplied leather to saddlers and seat makers for more than a century, saw half its staff laid off after administrators from FRP Advisory took over running its Reservoir Place factory in Pleck a month ago.
Challenging trading conditions and declining exchange rates were blamed for its troubles.
But now a trio of leather companies have come together in a consortium to buy Sedgwick and get production up and running with a £1.5 million investment.
Abbey England, based in Knutsford, is a renowned provider of saddlery and associated goods to the equestrian market and holds a royal warrant for supplying the Queen's household.
Kilger is a German tannery which has supplied Sedgwick with leather for 20 years, and Crawford Hide Company is a UK and Irish hide and skin processing company.
Abbey England led the consortium, keen to prevent Sedgwick being wound up as they relied on the Walsall company for its high quality leather.
Richard Brown, managing director at Abbey England, said: “It was imperative that we found a way to save what is one of Britain’s most prestigious leather companies.
"Its leather is an integral component of the high quality products we as a consortium are well-known for producing, within the equestrian sector and beyond.”
Mr Brown added: “I’m confident that the combination of the complementary skills and capabilities inherent in these three businesses will result in the continued manufacturer of high quality leather products to some the world’s most respected brands.
"We know that Sedgwick & Co.’s esteemed customer, Aston Martin, would not consider looking elsewhere given the quality of leather required for its interiors – and it is this superiority of manufacturer that we are so proud to have saved for the future of leather production.”
Mr Brown already has a track record of rescuing ailing supplier companies. A decade ago he took over a Walsall foundry in Long Street dating back to 1832 which now supplies brass buckles, aluminium bronze and pewter castings to the saddlery industry as well as sundials and locks.
Mr Brown said the 12 remaining staff at Sedgwick were now working to fulfil orders including a major consignment for Japan. "We have plans to start growing the business as soon as possible," he said.
Robin Coleman designs bespoke accessories for Aston Martin and has been a customer of Sedgwick & Co for almost 40 years.
He said: “We have always worked very closely with Sedgwick & Co. to source our leather as the quality is unbeatable and the consistency is superior to any other supplier.
"We’re delighted that Richard has led this consortium to rescue the business as had the Sedgwick & Co gone into administration, it would have totally disrupted our business and would have meant weeks and weeks of sourcing an alternative supplier.”
J&E Sedgwick was founded in 1900, making leathers for bridles and saddles, using traditional methods to treat and tan leather. It moved to Walsall in the 1920s and was bought by the Clayton group three years ago.
