Amanda Michel and Chris Powley-Williams have launched Leather Wise Ltd., based in Northampton, UK, which will offer problem solving and training services to the leather supply chain.

Leather Wise will provide professional problem solving and arbitration services relating to leather and leather products, as well as training courses on all aspects of leather production and use in consumer products.

With almost 50 years joint experience in the leather industry Ms Michel and Ms Powley-Williams feel Leather Wise is able to offer its customers a unique level of expertise. The problem solving services will help overcome production problems, settle disputes between suppliers and customers throughout the supply chain and will provide a leather identification service.

The leather training services will assist the leather product supply chain to understand the technical aspects of leather as a material, its fitness for purpose, its care and maintenance, and industry related jargon. 

Ms Michel is a leading expert in this field worldwide and has acted as an expert witness for Trading Standards. Ms Powley-Williams is a former director of a tannery and is highly skilled in the preparation and delivery of training courses.

Based at Moulton Park Business Centre, Leather Wise is close to the University of Northampton where there will be access to advanced technical equipment such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, etc.