I began working in the tanning industry because I was unemployed and, without any real studies ,I could not aspire for a top-paying job.  After 14 years working with the pigmentation drums, I can now consider myself a knowledgeable professional.

Once you get the gist of it, my job is quite easy.  I have to ensure that the formulae are the correct ones and I also have to check the programming.  Depending on the type of product and finishing you are looking for, the skins can be in the drums between 8 and 18 hours. Then the leathers have to be dried and checked individually for flaws…

You need in-house training to recognize the quality of the finishing of the products. Training is basic because it offers you the theoretical side of the process, and this has then got to be put into practice.  Greater the experience, the better you become at it.  In my case this experience is translated into an easier, more comfortable and less stressful job.  I like my job, especially working with Xavi (Badia). What I don’t really enjoy is the repetitive nature of my work.  Although each day I make different products for different clients, the process is always identical. I have a manager to whom I report to, so I am not in charge. Even so, I would like to be offered the possibility to take certain decisions without having to ask the manager.

We are only ten women in the Factory and a woman manager.  The rest of the team are men.  Although it is not a masculine environment, the men treat you differently and it is sad because we are living in the 21^st century.  Obviously there is a team spirit, but it is men with men, women with women.We are working in the premium quality Fashion industry, and women can offer a lot to the tanning sector.   We have a certain sensibility for aesthetics, for the finishings, the colours, the quality… we feel it, we live it… it is at the tips of our fingers.   Other tanneries have larger number of women workers, and I am sure that the presence of these women contributes favourably to the final article.

I enjoy seeing my product lacquered because it implies that the process that I control was successful.  Another nice thought is that there are people out there who appreciate what I do, especially those companies that end up using our leathers to manufacture luxurious handbags worth over 6.000 euros.  I just adore going to Paseo  de Gracia in Barcelona and do window shopping and see the leathers I have worked on turned into handbags, belts, purses… what before was simply quality leather has become a luxury article.

We are working in the premium quality Fashion industry, and women can offer a lot to the tanning sector.   We have a certain sensibility for aesthetics, for the finishings, the colours, the quality… we feel it, we live it… it is at the tips of our fingers.