University of the West of Scotland collaborate with Scottish Leather Group

Partnership set to aid continued development of UK’s leading leather manufactuer

Back row (left to right): Lorraine Dymond, Brian Cross (UWS Business Development Director), Ian McFadyen (managing director, Scottish Leather Group), Gordon Ross (finance director, Scottish Leather Group), Roddy Williamson (Vice Principal, research and commercialisation/ Executive Dean)

Front Row (left to right): Jonathan Muirhead (Chairman, Scottish Leather Group), Seamus McDaid (Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of the West of Scotland)

University of the West of Scotland (UWS), which is committed to working in close partnership with industry to aid the development of the Scottish economy, has established a formal partnership with the Scottish Leather Group Ltd (SLG).

The ‘University-Industry Partnership Agreement’ will see UWS and SLG working on a range of projects embracing; joint student interaction, sponsored academic programmes, joint research and knowledge transfer activity, consultancy work, and staff education and training programmes.

The close working relationship developed between the University and the Group will provide an ideal environment for product and process innovation to flourish and for ideas to be put into action.

Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be establishing this important partnership with Scottish Leather Group. 

“Scottish Leather Group is a hugely successful business based in the west of Scotland with a growing international client portfolio and this partnership will aid the Group as it continues to go from strength to strength.

“This partnership will bring an added dimension to the University and provide new opportunities for both staff and students to get involved in project work in a dynamic and fast moving industrial setting.”

Scottish Leather Group Limited is a privately owned, independent company formed in 1965 and is the largest manufacturer of bovine leather in the United Kingdom. It exports 90% of production to over 60 countries around the world.

Jonathan Muirhead, Chairman of Scottish Leather Group, said: “Our continuous investment in education and training and advancement in technology has allowed us to be a global leader in Low Carbon Leather manufacturing.

“Leather manufacturing has moved from being a craft-based industry to adopt new technologies and our own innovation has enabled us to be in control of the complete manufacturing process in a sustainable way. 

“This partnership with the University will provide opportunities for students to work with an ambitious Scottish Group and for our employees to develop their skills further.

“We are very excited about this prospect and look forward to seeing what the relationship can deliver.”