SCOT - Key Persons
Arnold de Jager, and his wife, Diane, were on holiday overseas in 1969 when they received a telex from the co-operative. Arnold had to go to Komstam in England. His grandfather exported to Figures and Company in London and Arnold decided to visit him and ask if he will accompany him to Komstam. He offered Komstam the agency once Klein Karoo got started. He needed a price and asked whether they would be willing to train one of the tanners for a year to 18 months. After long negotiations they could not agree on a price, after which he then gave up.
"It was clear, they wanted to keep us out of the industry", said Arnold. On their way back in the train to London across the Thames, they saw Rowe & Son. His companion from Figures suggested to stop, he knows them well. They tan a little bit of ostrich leather. Not the best, but quite acceptable. Arnold de Jager requested if they will take in an apprentice tanner if they offer them the agency. He also shared that he needs a price of 1/6. They agreed.
At home, Johann Wilkens, an excellent tanner of Grahamstown was approached. He was willing to start a tannery for Klein Karoo although he said, "I am just an ordinary tanner". He had no experience with ostrich leather and faced the challenge of mastering the tannery technology of this unique leather within four months.
Johann Wilken made several breakthroughs. He not only perfected the tanning process in time, he also refined the finish. He took advice and input from agents and customers and first they only produced a pigmented Classic finish. Johann developed the Saddle Finish, a drum dyed full aniline leather, soft to the touch and suitable for different applications. He constantly looked at the different characteristics of the leather. In co-operation with the Italians and the Japanese, Johann developed methods to ensure better colourfastness and minimize colour variation within the same batch.
The Mossel Bay Tannery has a ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification and was awarded a second, consecutive Silver rating in the October 2023 LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit Standard: Version 7.2.2. This certification remains in place until 25 October 2025. Charl du Pisani, Tannery Manager, and his management have decades of experience between its members. These leather crafters and technicians are passionate about producing ostrich leather of the highest quality.
Piet Greeff, the general manager of the co-operative was a man with vision for the industry. His far-sightedness was simply brilliant, and he contacted his friends, the Pienaars and obtained their services as tanners. On 19 December 1966, a delegation of the Klein Karoo Koöperasie held a meeting with Mr P Pienaar of TMC Fur and Leather from Pretoria to initiate the establishment of a co-operative tannery. TMC Fur and Leather produced ostrich leather of a satisfactory quality. The tannery was small, but effective.