Covid imposes Paisley production pause on SLG
Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has temporarily suspended operations at one of its wet-end tanneries, W.J. and W Lang Limited in Paisley.
The group said this was part of its response to “immediate challenges” presented by the covid-19 pandemic, which has had considerable impact on SLG’s customers in automotive, aviation, mass transit and upholstery. It added that it remains confident of future growth.
W.J. and W Lang makes lime split and full-substance bovine wet blue and wet white. Its Paisley site will be “maintained in a state of readiness” in expectation of a recovery in orders.
For now, all of SLG’s production of lime splits and full-substance wet blue and wet white will take place at its other wet-end tannery, NCT Leather. Most of these semi-processed hides will go from there to the group’s other plants, Bridge of Weir Leather and Muirhead, for finishing, cutting and distribution to customers.
It said the majority of W.J. and W Lang employees had been retained, with many of them moving the short distance to NCT to continue producing wet-end material there. At the same time, the group has relocated a number of administration and technical employees to the Lang site in Paisley.
SLG chief executive, Iain McFadyen, said the decision to consolidate wet-end operations would allow the group to “align our business with the levels of demand we are forecasting from our customers in the short-term”.
Mr McFadyen added: “It is clear that the recovery from the covid-19 pandemic will be extremely challenging and will take considerable time. Following a thorough review of our business and the scenarios that we anticipate in the short, medium and long term, we have begun the process of transforming our business to ensure it is as well prepared for the future as it can be.”
