International Leather Merchants & Wholesalers For Sale

Business description

Established in 1946 and purchased by the current owners in 1983, this group is now one of the largest leather traders in the UK, employing people dedicated to servicing manufacturing companies throughout the world, supplying a wide variety of leathers for many applications, with contacts worldwide with leather traders and tanneries.

Their warehouse in London is one of the largest of its kind in the UK holding stocks of all items related to allied trades including Garment, Handbag, Leather goods, Upholstery and Footwear industries, with a reputation as being in the forefront of leather developments. They also hold the finest selection of skins from snake skin to full cowhides and stock over 1 million square feet of various leather and suede skins of all colours, prints and designs.

The Group have offices in Montreal and Toronto in Canada to service the North American market and also ship leather to buyer's designated factories in Asia and India. They are dedicated to offer the very latest in fashion leathers introducing new colours, effects and prints.

Being a truly global business they are able to identify and create new fashion trends and are constantly in touch with some of the leading designers and retailers in the world discussing and evolving new products. The company are large suppliers of leathers to theatrical costumiers and their leathers have been used in many feature films and TV productions.

The policy of this company is to bring to the attention of their buyers the importance of leather as a fashion medium that the world loves to wear. In their words “Leather is a natural product and people love to wear and use it - naturally!!

Their leathers are divided into four sectors:

• Garment
• Footwear
• Leather goods
• Upholstery

Customer Service:

The business believes it is customer service, and in particular after sales service, that really sets it apart and works very hard to promote this. It offers the best service and support with highly trained sales and operations staff combined with a high quality of leather and skins that delivers and satisfies the needs of the customers each and every time. It prides itself on “going the extra mile” for its customers and this is reflected in the very high customer retention levels and repeat orders that the business enjoys.


Key Strengths:

Built on solid foundations this business has an excellent reputation for friendly and helpful service with an excellent product range that has been achieved over the years since the inception of the company in 1946, by hard work and have an established, yet diverse, customer base worldwide, which has been growing year on year through word of mouth recommendations and ongoing referrals. Not surprisingly this business can claim high levels of customer satisfaction.

Due to the high level of personal service received by all customers work is always available ensuring significant annual turnover. The company receives consistent and regular work and has been on form financially over many years, well positioned for strong future growth

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

A new lease will be negotiable for the new owners if required.

Location:

Located on a light industrial estate in London the warehouse is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and has all facilities and parking. A new lease will be negotiable for the new owners if required.

Other information

Expansion potential:

The Company maintains an extensive base of satisfied customers, sales continue to grow, and with additional staffing and further promotion within the appropriate market sectors, would offer this financially attractive business even more upside potential.

Competition / Market:

Much of the business's revenue is a result of word of mouth recommendation, bearing strong testimony to the excellent reputation enjoyed by the business since its inception. As there is currently little, if any, advertising the owner is aware that a more active sales and marketing campaign, including the re-designing of the website, would certainly improve sales and profitability and will increase its market exposure and revenues. The implementation of some form of database management would also ensure the business fully maximises the opportunities its large customer bank represents.

Support & training:

The current owner will provide all necessary training and handover to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new owners.

Reasons for selling:

Following a death in the controlling family the directors have decided to sell the business.

Trading hours:

Monday – Friday 8.30 – 5.30