Even for a fifth generation tanner like Tom Ettling, starting work in a tannery was daunting. As Tom says, the industry is changing all the time; you could be in it for 20 years and still not know what you are getting into but that is part of the fun of it. He had previously worked in health care, television and the food and retail industries but couldn’t find anything he liked or could settle to. However, he loves working with his hands and the variety of his role has meant that working in the leather industry has been very grounding for him.

As production manager, he is responsible for making sure that leather is made, that the staff are doing their jobs and for sales. Making sure all the processes work is his prime consideration as well as looking for ways to cut costs. This is not an easy job, the challenges are both intellectual and physical and there is always something new to deal with but he enjoys it.

 Tom finds his current role much more fulfilling than his previous work and rewarding on many levels. He enjoys actually making something through a process that is both creative and scientific and is proud to be a national manufacturer in an industry with a great tradition. As he observes, his peers are ‘behind desks, thumping keyboards’ which, to him, sounds like torture.

Tom takes great satisfaction from his job and being part of a manufacturing industry. He would recommend working in the industry to anyone because, although it is not easy, it is very rewarding.