African Leather and Skins have been a role player in the animal skins and upholstery leather industry since 1999, while officially opening its doors in Paarl in 2004 with Director Ian Otto applying his knowledge to ensure that the company is always at the forefront of product innovation.

The leather supplier opened its second warehouse in Centurion in 2006, with Ansa Nel managing the new branch. Our warehouses only source the best products for our clients while ensuring a consistent supply of top-quality skins and upholstery leather.

As a proud family business, we want to celebrate the vital role of every staff member in our team in this blog. So we’ve asked some of the team members what they enjoy most about their role at African Leather and Skins and the mottos they live by. Here’s what they have to say:

 

Paarl

Sereen has been a warehouse assistant at African Leather for the past seven years. “I learn so much about the leather production process and how it is used,” she says. Her motto in life is: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Sale representative Gareth loves interacting with clients daily. “The reward of seeing a happy and satisfied client is priceless,” he says. He says there is no substitute for hard work or compromise for excellent customer service.

Francois has been with the company for more than nine years, assisting with sales and logistics. He enjoys interacting with different clients the most, and his motto is: “Live simply. Dream big. Be grateful. Laugh a lot.”

Queen has been at African Leather for over 12 years as a warehouse assistant and says: “I enjoy meeting new clients, advising them on the types of leather, and being able to give the client what they requested.”

Another warehouse assistant is Barend, who says he enjoys interacting with the clients and always learning about how they use leather. He has been with African Leather for two years and his approach to life is to “always keep your head high and never give up!”

Donovan has been with African Leather for over 15 years, taking care of delivery and assisting wherever help is needed. He enjoys seeing customers happy and his motto is “to do right the first time”.

Centurion

Storeman Armand is still new to the team, having joined three months ago. However, he says he enjoys the variety of creative clients that visit them daily and believes that one should create your own opportunities and not wait for others to do it for you.

Our other storeman is Ruan, who joined the company three years ago. He says what he enjoys most about his role: “I get to learn something new every day and meet new people.”

Sales representative Verushca has been working for African Leather for two years. “I love working here because I enjoy selling the product, to see how such a natural product can be used in many creative ways! I also enjoy using my skills to solve problems and satisfy our clients! Working at African Leather is a privilege because it is a caring and healthy workspace!” Her motto in life is, “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit!”

Olecha takes care of admin, logistics and stock and joined the team in July 2021. She enjoys the friendly work environment and her co-worker’s company. “One of my favourite aspects in my current role is the variety of work; I love that every day presents me with a different challenge, which has allowed me to develop my problem-solving skills.”

Ansa is the branch manager that joined African Leather over 17 years ago! She says: “The best part of managing the Centurion branch is to see a successful business growing stronger every day with happy customers and work with a young, dynamic team.” Her motto that she lives by is: “Opportunities don’t happen; you create them” and “Always leave people better than you found them.”

Janine has been Ansa’s assistant for the past two years and she loves working with beautiful products and meeting amazing people daily. She says life is short, so live, love, smile, and surround yourself with the people and things that make you happy.