Horween Leather

Horween Leather is one of the oldest tanneries in the US and has been operating since 1905. A tour of their facilities in their home base, Chicago, Illinois, gives a short insight into their production of some of the highest quality leather products in the world.

Worker cut and sort raw pieces of hide.

Worker cut and sort raw pieces of hide.

Workers stack large pieces of hide to be moved on to the next process.

Workers stack large pieces of hide to be moved on to the next process.

A work with his blade used for cutting and stripping heavy pieces or hide.

A work with his blade used for cutting and stripping heavy pieces or hide.

A worker taking a break from the processing room where the clean each strip of hide. 

A worker taking a break from the processing room where the clean each strip of hide. 

Strips of dyed leather being stacked.

Strips of dyed leather being stacked.

One of the many cleaning processes.

One of the many cleaning processes.

A worker cleaning up a dirty area in one of the processing rooms where leather goes through a full cleaning treatment before getting dyed or conditioned.

A worker cleaning up a dirty area in one of the processing rooms where leather goes through a full cleaning treatment before getting dyed or conditioned.

In a facility that uses many chemicals and minerals to clean leather, a protective mask is used to filter out strong smells.

In a facility that uses many chemicals and minerals to clean leather, a protective mask is used to filter out strong smells.

Transporting minerals to the dyeing room.

Transporting minerals to the dyeing room.

Nearly finished product.

Nearly finished product.

A final hand cleaning and polishing.

A final hand cleaning and polishing.