West Yorkshire leather manufacturer gains the cutting edge with new investment

A West Yorkshire leather manufacturer has experienced a growth in orders after investing in new machinery, with support from Yorkshire Bank.

Leeds-based Yarwood Leather is the first UK leather manufacturer to introduce the Gerber Taurus II, a state-of-the-art leather cutting machine used primarily for precision leather cutting in the aviation, automotive and retail furniture industries.

After seeking financial support from Yorkshire Bank to help cover the cost of the new machine, the company secured a funding package from Jonathan Russell, relationship manager at the Bank’s business and private banking centre in Leeds.

As a result of the investment, Yarwood has also taken on additional staff to operate the Gerber Taurus, which requires three experts to mark, cut and finish the leather before this goes onto the sewing team.

The new machine will help service new clients including one of the UK’s biggest furniture retailers who recently signed a contract with Yarwood Leather.

Established in 1967, Yarwood Leather is a specialist in leather processing as well as a stockist and distributer for to a variety of industries. The firm has taken on an additional 10 staff in the last 12 months, and now operates with a team of 40,

Nick Batty, Yarwood’s managing director, commented: “Yarwood Leather has experienced impressive growth in the past few years and we expect this to continue, particularly in the aviation and upholstery sector. Our new leather cutting machine is the latest of its kind and will operate in tandem with our other machines, helping to fulfil a growing order book for customers across industries.

“We have a very positive relationship with our manager, Jonathan Russell, who is always keen to listen to our ideas, helping us to implement our growing ambitions for the company by providing a range of Yorkshire Bank facilities to support our changing needs as we take the business forward.”

David Maybury, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Leeds business and private banking centre, added: “Yarwood Leather is a great example of a local, thriving business being sought out thanks to their specialist expertise. Their investment is a testament to the ambitious nature of the company which has helped them position themselves as Europe’s biggest leather stockist. We’re proud to have been able to support them along the way and look forward to seeing them grow.

“As economic conditions continue to improve, Yorkshire Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of businesses across Yorkshire.”