Ettinger Leather Keeps Hand‑Made Tradition Alive in Walsall
Ettinger’s Walsall factory employs 20 people, mostly women, to hand‑craft luxury leather goods
In Brief
- •Ettinger’s Walsall factory employs 20 people, mostly women, to hand‑craft luxury leather goods
- •The company, founded in 1934, still refuses to automate production, insisting “you can’t bring in robots”
- •Ettinger holds royal warrants from King Charles and Queen Camilla and sells items such as wallets, cigar cases and a £800 tote bag
- •Production involves 28 leather pieces per wallet, cut with a hydraulic press, glued by hand, and stitched with a sewing machine
- •The firm’s best‑selling product remains the wallet, while it also offers personalized accessories for dogs and other niches
Why It Matters
Ettinger’s insistence on hand‑made craftsmanship underscores a broader trend of preserving artisanal skills amid industrial automation. By maintaining a small, skilled workforce, the company preserves traditional techniques that appeal to luxury consumers seeking authenticity. The presence of royal warrants further elevates the brand’s prestige, potentially driving demand and supporting local employment in a region historically known for leather manufacturing.
Key Details
- Number of Employees
- 20 (mostly women)
- Founded
- 1934
- Royal Warrants
- King Charles & Queen Camilla
- Best‑selling Item
- Wallet
- Tote Bag Price
- £800
- Production Method
- Hand‑made, no robots
Context & Background
Walsall has long been a centre of leather‑working, with over 100 firms by the late 19th century. The decline of horse‑based transport shifted the industry toward other leather goods, a transition that Ettinger has continued by focusing on high‑end, hand‑crafted products.
Original Reporting & Sources
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