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Leather Industry & Shoemaking

Leather Industry & Shoemaking

Leather production was important in the south-west of Scotland from the earliest days of industry. Preparation of skins and hides produced leather, parchment and sheepskins for various purposes- including the manufacture of gloves and footwear. Although a major industry, it carried on for a long time without involving any large companies. One small business was started by George Clark in 1783 and was taken over by his son James. The business expanded and in 1908 merged with the English Company Abbott to form Saxone. Now operated by Burlington International, Saxone are still producing shoes today.

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