Local SNP MSP Derek Mackay recently visited the Scottish Leather Group at Bridge of Weir where he was given a tour and shown the facilities at the site.

The Scottish Leather Group Limited was formed in 1965 and is the largest manufacturer of bovine leather in the UK, and is comprised of four leather manufacturing subsidiaries, all located in the west of Scotland.

The Group has a stated objective of achieving zero waste and is currently working on a strategy to deliver it.

In 2009, The Group reduced their carbon footprint for the fifth successive year. They have now decreased by 20% and as such, received a Carbon Trust Energy Efficiency Award for their efforts.

Customer demand can have a major influence on how companies address green issues, and as a supplier to some of the top names in the automotive and airline industries, the Scottish Leather Group is subject to the exacting standards expected of a preferred supplier.

The Group is leading the way in low carbon leather and aims to become carbon neutral by 2015.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Mackay said:

“With green issues still very much at the top of the agenda worldwide, here in Scotland we are proving to be one of the global trailblazers, particularly in terms of our climate change legislation, but also in our ambitious targets to become a zero-waste society.  

“Leading businesses such as the Scottish Leather Group are embarking on the zero waste journey to protect our environment and help our economy and I am proud of their significant progress in helping Scotland become a zero waste society.

“On a basic level we will end up with a country that saves money as less goes to waste, the environment we live in will be cleaner, as will the air that we breathe.  We will also see the countless benefits to companies and homes that are warmer and cheaper to maintain.  

“Perhaps the biggest opportunity from all these measures is that Scotland will be setting the standards in innovation and technology, with our entrepreneurs in a tremendous position to push our knowledge still further and become world leaders in their field.  We can already see the green shoots of this happening now and I am certain we are in a prime position to be at the forefront for many years to come.”