Members of the Probus Club visit the tanning factory in New Era
Members of the Probus Club have monthly talks and enjoy outings.
Fourteen members of the Probus Club took a trip to the Hannitan tanning factory to see how leather is processed.
The factory, situated in New Era, prepares between 1 000 and 1 200 hides for leather daily. Probus club member Colleen Schapira explained the process.
“When the hides arrive, they must be washed, dehaired, de-fleshed, degreased and soaked in water for six hours to two days.
“Then it is a complicated process involving five stages: pre-tanning, tanning, selection, dressing and finishing. Each of these processes is complex and requires many steps,” she said.
ALSO READ: Springs Clinic tackles mental health issues
She added before one of the end stages, which is dying, they wash the hides and with toggle clips attached to large frames, revolved around a huge furnace to get air-dried.
“Hides are tanned according to the customer’s requirements regarding thickness, quality and size and depends on what the hide will be used for. Hides can cost R200 to R450 per square metre, and each order can take 10 days to two weeks to complete.
“The final result is an amazing collection of different coloured hides – soft and shining and ready for production of furniture, shoes, belts or clothing,” she said.
Schapira calls the visit a very informative and eye-opening two hours.
If you are retired and would like to join Probus and enjoy their outings and monthly talks, contact the president Jonathan Read on 011 818 4089.
ALSO READ: Mandela Day sees improvements at Vukucinge
