Our services


R&D are experts in sourcing all qualities of Leather, PU & Canvas mix. We act as the representative and provide a bespoke service for all requirements including – design, product development, material testing, price negotiation, production management, lead time, communication, critical path control, quality control, shipment tracking and the best freight forwarders we can find.

We employ trained and skilled QC technicians in each country that we manufacture to check evaluate each stage of production. Throughout our 57 years of vast manufacturing experience, we possess the ability to match each client with the best suited factory that suits their price, product, quality and lead time. This avoids any unnecessary travel expenses and time that its takes for a client to gain quality assurance.

Portfolio


We have over 40 years of experience working with the UK’s leading high street retailers designing and supplying leather and sheepskin garments and bags.

Our clients


Manufacture, Style & Design


We have a diverse and well experienced design team on board to help guide your imagination

Product fit

We pride ourselves on our relationships with our manufacturers to gain the best price, quality and fit for our clients

Production control

We have a dedicated production team that travel and maintain a high standard critical path to ensure all expectations are met

Quality control

We have QC teams based in each country we manufacture to ensure our production timeline and standards are on point

Logistics

Our logistics team is in full control of awarding freight forwards and transport to and from the required space

Design support


Not only do we provide a price effective and bespoke service to our clients but we also have a small and highly qualified design team that has experience with working with some of the biggest retail brands on the high street. Our in-house design team are frequent travellers, accumulating innovative ideas from across the globe facilitating the development of client’s leathers. Each designer keeps themselves up to date with the latest trends and helps guide our clients to create the right product for them.

Company History


R&D leather have amassed over 50 years of knowledge of leather and sheepskin. With 3 generations working within the family business we are proud and passionate leather experts.

1950

  • Jim Malone, a teen from Kildalkey Ireland (one of 13 children) left home to seek his fortune, travelling across the Irish Sea to the heart of the Somerset.

  • Jim learned to tan, grade and cut sheepskin in Moorlands, Glastonbury, one of the countries most renowned tanneries

  • Woolea ltd.

    Jim left to start his own business by making sheepskin mitts from off cuts in his garage. His wife Jean was an integral part of his drive and development to succeed and soon enough they found themselves with four more mouths to feed.

1980

  • Woolea ltd

    Jim’s company ‘Woolea’ appointed a factory in the centre of Street high street employing over 100 employees including all four of his children.

  • Woolea ltd

    ‘Woolea’ was the main sponsor of the Somerset County Cricket Team including the high-profile sporting celebrities, Ian Botham, Viv Richards & Joel Garner.

1990

  • Woolea ltd

    In 1993 and after 28 years of success on the sheepskin “double face” business, ‘Woolea’ was placed into receivership. The sheepskin ‘double face’ recession forced Jim’s retirement. There was a change in direction with the business focusing more on leather which was now run by Jim’s sons Brian, Gary & David

  • R&D Leather

    R&D leather continue to work with Woolea's loyal client base while exploring new opportunities including footwear, becoming the USAs largest supplier of slippers.

  • R&D Leather

    David, Brian and Gary hire a team of designers and evolve the business to deliver end to end product design, development and distribution of leather garments and bags to the UKs biggest retailers.

2015

  • R&D Leather

    At the hands of David, R&D Leathers approach to the business has changed. R&D now focus solely on resourcing and manufacturing for the high streets retailers and specialising in the quality, touch and the knowledge of leather production.

  • R&D Leather

    Jim’s Death in September 2015 sparked a movement within the family bringing David’s son’s Dean, Jack & Hamish back into the family business.

Contact Us


We welcome the opportunity to work with retailers worldwide and look forward to hearing from you.

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    +44 1458 440407

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    19 Brooks Rd, Street BA16 0PN

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    info@rdleather.co.uk