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Success stories: Jose Thomas with Madhavan, Farhana and John Thorp.
Jose turns scrap
into prospects of
a brighter future
It is a well-known and recognised
perk for most Indian leather factory
bosses that they get to sell
scrap for cash, which more often
than not goes straight into their
back pocket.
But at The Leather Business’s factory
in Chennai, managing director Jose
Thomas puts this cash to extremely
good use. He uses it to pay for extra
tuition for bright youngsters employed
in the organisation, helping them to
develop their skills, knowledge and
opportunities.
In the last 12 months alone, three
promising young people have been
plucked from the factory floor and –
as a result of English and computer
classes paid from the sale of scrap –
are now working in office positions,
with the opportunity of even further
advancement.
Thomas said: “Our first success
was with Madhavan, who we took
from the shop floor into quality control.
Now, he is working in the office
on costings, as well as retaining part
of his responsibilities in QC.
“It is a joy to see his progression
from a young man with no real direction
to someone who now has a
voracious appetite for knowledge and
advancement.”
John Thorp, who chairs the Indian
operation, said: “I am proud not only
of the young people who are taking
us up on this initiative but also of
Jose, whose honesty and integrity
helps provide inspirational leadership
to all our employees in India.
“With so many horror stories about
worker exploitation, I am delighted
that our customers rest safe in the
knowledge that they are dealing with
a transparent and ethically-run supplier.”
To compliment this, with so many
large corporate end users becoming
increasingly aware and rightly
concerned about worker exploitation
and bad working conditions in the
Far East, The Leather Business has
also produced a DVD which shows
the working conditions in their factory
and the way the finished products are
made.
Thorp added: “I know for certain
that many companies buying direct
from India are buying from sweat
shops and have no idea of the terrible
working conditions people are
subjected to.
“If you are offered a price that
seems too good to be true or appears
to be a real bargain, the probability is
that it comes from a sweat shop.
“It is also a fact that many factories
are specially dressed when customers
visit, with bedding removed from under
tables, children hidden etc.
“As soon as the visitors leave, the
factories revert to their former state.
“We, on the other hand, operate an
entirely transparent operation.”
The Leather Busihess is offering
free copies of the DVD to distributors.
For more details, visit tradeonly.
com/lb
Desktop innovation
docks with an award
An innovative idea for a
“desktop billboard” has helped
Leeds-based Gwenagen land
a top award.
The company was voted
Company of the Year 2008 by
Business and Industry Today
for both its customer service
and its innovative “Gdock”.
Gdock is a desktop stand
that’s ideal for mobile phones,
Blackberrys and iPods, with a
large area for a promotional
message. The product is produced
in the UK from recycled
cardboard.
Company founder Gwen
Merkelbach said: “It’s a highly
effective marketing and advertising
platform.”
Gwen (right) and Heather
Attwood from the company’s
sales department are pictured
with their latest accolade.
For more, visit tradeonly.
com/gwenagen
MD drives them wild
Merseyside-based Wildthang
has been immersing itself in sport
just recently.
In May, the firm’s staff took part
in the first ever “Liver Birds” midnight
walk, in aid of the Roy Castle
Lung Cancer Foundation.
Although primarily an event for
women, Wildthang decided to push
the boundaries a little and entered
a few of its guys – on the proviso,
requested by the charity, that they
dress up as girls!
Liz Legg, Wildthang’s Corporate
Fundraising Manager, said: “It was
a magnificent fund-raising event
and experience.
“We had a great time and really
got into the spirit of things.”
Perhaps a little too much. According
to Liz, Wildthang’s “Andrea” (aka
MD Andrew Dwerryhouse) was
talent-spotted by a top model
agency, which now wants to sign
him up. We’ll keep you posted.
The following month, Wildthang
turned its attentions to tennis, as
official merchandise partner for the
Liverpool International Tennis Tournament,
and produced an exclusive
limited edition range of merchandise
for the tournament.
For more, visit tradeonly.com/
wildthang
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