Kangaroo leather used in iPad cases
Australian kangaroo leather producer, Packer Leather, signed a contract to supply kangaroo leather for iPad 2 cases by Australian technology blogger Arnold Aranez – the founder of online technology website Mr Gadget.
Packer Leather has produced high-end kangaroo leather for luggage, compendiums, sports shoes, motorcycle gloves and sports cars, but this is its first venture into technology.
The ‘K-Leather’ iPad 2 case is the first of a series of high-end smartphone and tablet cases Mr Aranez has planned.
“This would be the first time it’s gone into that application,” said Packer Leather executive Graham Packer.
The K-Leather case is exported from Queensland to Hong Kong, where it is designed and cut for global release. Mr Packer said it was an ideal opportunity for the Queensland company to get a foot in the technology field, which could ensure K-Leather growth goes hand-in-hand with the performance of iPads and other smartphones and tablets.
Mr Aranez told media he had been looking at the idea for a while. “Obviously, we wanted to differentiate ourselves from people who are currently doing cases, and one way to do that is basically to use the best leather out there, which is kangaroo leather,” he said.
“We need that kind of very good-performing leather for cases for smart devices that are used every day, and basically tossed around. We wanted something that’s practical but stylish.”
“Arnold’s latched on to an idea and we’re hoping it works well for his sake and for ours,” Mr Packer said.
“It’s a different avenue. Kangaroo leather is generally a high-priced leather so it has to go into niche markets, but currency always has an effect. Generally the bean-counters get involved, look at the cost of the leather and think ‘oh well, nah we'll use something cheaper’. You’re always fighting that one.
“Although our numbers remained steady through the GFC, it’s really difficult now with what’s happening in currency and also in compliance costs. But we keep going because it’s a unique raw material to Australia, and we are firm believers in value adding and putting it in particular markets,” Mr Packer said. “We are looking forward to see what Arnold can do. It could be a very interesting one for us.”
