Ryazan Tannery (JSC Russian Leather) is deservedly considered the industry leader in Russia and the CIS. The enterprise that celebrated its centenary in 2016 sets the trend in the domestic genuine leather market. The company produces a wide range of products for various sectors of industry: shoe, furniture, haberdashery, automotive, aviation and others. Over half of the products are exported.
Creature
In the First World War, the Russian army fought fierce battles with the Kaiser troops of Germany. In this case, the advantage was on the side of the Germans. In 1916, the enemy approached Riga, and the evacuation of enterprises began from this city. Leather equipment was delivered to Ryazan, located deep in the rear, from the Baltic capital. It served as the basis for the creation of the Ryazan Tannery (RKZ).
As a production site, the workshops of the idle iron foundry were chosen. The premises were poorly adapted for the organization of leather dressing, but the workers managed to quickly establish production in a new place.
Change
The Ryazan tannery did not have time to “straighten its shoulders” when new trials broke out - the February and then October revolutions took place. The company was nationalized and renamed Khromkozh. From historical films and literature, the love of representatives of the new government for leather clothes and ammunition is known. Therefore, the company worked at full capacity. In 1933, a kind of record was set - the team produced 400,000 leathers.
The first five-year plans
With the development of technology, the quality of the leathers at the Ryazan Tannery improved, cost decreased, and productivity increased. Workers worked enthusiastically. In 1940, for example, factory workers exceeded the annual target by 113%.
When the war began, the demand for skin increased many times. Wear-resistant material that protects against moisture and cold was indispensable on the fronts of the war. Military uniforms, ammunition were sewed from it, used in aviation, transport engineering, and the navy. During the war years, the RKZ delivered 163400 dm 2 of genuine leather.
Peaceful development
Leather is such a material that it is always in demand. It is not surprising that after the war the demand for it did not decrease. Thanks to the renewal of the technological equipment park, the Ryazan tannery began to produce the best profile products in the USSR.
If earlier aesthetic qualities were not paid much attention to, then as the economy was restored and the welfare of the population improved, the assortment requirements increased. At the VDNH exhibition in 1951, the team presented leather in 50 colors and shades. And already in 1955, only one shoe and haberdashery leather was presented 40 species. The products have more than once been awarded VDNH awards, including a 1st degree diploma. For outstanding services, the RKZ was awarded the title “Enterprise of Excellent Quality”.
60-80s
The Ryazan Tannery became one of the leading enterprises in the region and the first to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1966). In the 70s, the team mastered a new technology - the manufacture of two-tone leathers. RKZ increased capacity, including through the accession of other enterprises.
By the 80s, the plant was cramped in the old workshops. The government decided to build new buildings for production. Work began in 1988, but as negative trends in the economy grew, construction was less and less funded.
Nowadays
After the collapse of the USSR, the dreams of factory workers about a new production were threatened. Moreover, the severance of economic ties threatened the enterprise with ruin. Fortunately, the new administration, which came in 1999, was able to restore the company. New vacancies began to be created at the Ryazan tannery. Workers have found hope. Over time, new workshops were completed, technological equipment was updated. RKZ became part of the Russian Leather Group.
Today, the company is the undisputed leader in the leather industry both in terms of breadth of assortment and quality. The equipment and qualifications of workers make it possible to produce goods that are in demand in countries where light industry is well developed. In addition to Russian companies, products under the Russian Leather brand of the Ryazan Tannery are bought by Italian, German, Turkish, Chinese, Belarusian, Indian, and Spanish partners.
Production
RKZ makes 35% of all Russian genuine leather. The monthly production volume is 720 m 2 , and for the year the factory workers produce about 3 million skins. Over 800 units of equipment are located in production facilities on an area of 480,000 m2.
Although the amount of manual labor remains quite large (this is required by the specifics of production), many stages of the work are automated. The company regularly invests in updating and modernizing the technological base, and introducing innovative technologies. Particular attention is paid to environmental programs, as the production of leather requires the use of aggressive chemicals.
To follow global trends, the company's specialists create new articles (types) of leather, experiment with chemical materials, and develop fashionable types of embossing. By the way, scraps of material are not thrown away at the enterprise. They are used for processing and creating useful products.
Main products
Ryazan Tannery produces the widest range of products. Here they make leather for:
- shoes;
- clothes;
- haberdashery products ;
- furniture;
- vehicle finishes;
- aviation industry;
- military sector.
It comes with various types of finishes:
- velours;
- nubuck;
- floter;
- crust;
- semi-aniline;
- with a smooth surface;
- with various embossing patterns;
- moderately shiny;
- with varnish coating;
- with a wax surface;
- with lightening effects in the bend zone (“pull-up”), “brush-off”;
- with the transition of colors;
- multilayer;
- softened;
- polished.
And this is not the whole range.
By-products
In addition to leather dressing, RKZ is engaged in sewing workwear:
- welder suits combined, as well as whole-split;
- cuffs, gloves, split leather gloves.
Overalls of this type are designed to protect against contact with hot products, mechanical influences, pollution. Suitable for chores.
A good income comes from the manufacture of souvenirs made of leather of various colors and textures:
- diaries, notebooks, desktop folders;
- mouse pads; gadget covers;
- coin boxes, business card holders;
- cardholders;
- covers for documents, cards, business cards;
- trinkets, key holders;
- Wallets
- pencil cases, bookmarks;
- bottlers;
- auto head restraints, blanket-bedding;
- leather napkins, placemats, coasters, bonfires.
A separate unit is engaged in sewing Czechs from natural raw materials.