ABOUT ELK LEATHER YAK LEATHER CONTACT RAWHIDES INTO PREMIUM LEATHER We are a traditional, third-generation family business, that focuses on production of high-quality leathers used for premium leather products. Nordic Elk Leather Our most popular product is Nordic elk leather, which has a richness that makes it stand out among all other leathers. High quality We work hard to ensure that every lot leaving Kokkolan will satisfy even the most demanding customer. Mongolian Yak Hides Lately we wanted to extend our product line with a leather similar to the elk hides, but with more durability and tensile strength. That is when the yak leather came naturally to us. LEATHER FOR OVER 50 YEARS! 1950 Our Business was Born For generations the tradition and knowhow of preparing leather has been passed down from father to son, from master to apprentice here. In 1957 the grandfather of the current managing director sat up a company with his business partner. The company was called Rukkastuote. 1950-1970 Glove Production for Finnish Market Initially the company focused on producing gloves for the Kokkola region in western Finland. In the 1960s the business soon expanded to cover the entire country. 1980 Exporting Garment Leather Sheep nappa leather became a popular material for garments, which opened a new era of possibilities in the history of the company. Sheep nappa was exported to other Nordic countries and to the Soviet Union. In 1984, the company changed its name from Rukkastuote to Kokkolan Nahka Oy. 1990-2000 Elk, Reindeer and Deer Leather for the Global Market Kokkolan Nahka focused on rare elk leather in the 1990s. This leather became a popular material for footwear in the United States, followed by Europe and the rest of the world. The number of elk leathers produced has already exceeded 1,250,000. The company continued to specialise in Nordic game animal leathers into the 21st century when the production of reindeer and deer leathers also started. 2010- Yak Leather With Mongolian Herders In 2013 Kokkolan Nahka Oy acquired Geson Oy, which has operated as a subcontractor and been responsible for tanning the hides. After this acquisition, the entire production process is managed by Kokkolan. Lately in 2014 Kokkolan started the journey of making Yak Leathers in co-operation with mongolian herders. NEW GENERATION TANNERS ELK LEATHER - A SUSTAINABLE CHOICE Nordic Elk Leather Our most popular product is Nordic elk leather, which has a richness that makes it stand out among all other leathers. Elks are wild animals not needing any human made resources. They find all of their needed resources in the clean nature. The hunting is controlled by the government, so the elk population is kept at sustainable levels. The skins are bi-products, which means they would go to waste. When we buy the skins from hunting clubs they use the money to pay for costs occurring during hunting season. The hunters usually keep the meat for themselves. If you can't see the Youtube player please click here. ELK LEATHERS Click the icon for more information! YAK LEATHER - EXCEPTIONAL TENSILE STRENGTH Yak from Mongolia The Yak hides have exceptional tensile strength and are considered abrasive resistant. The hide has evolved to what is called ”A shelter for all seasons” with thin, light, compact, woven collagen fibres and a fine closed grain, a leather for the toughest of conditions. Yaks are among the largest bovids in shoulder height and it’s physiology is adapted to high altitudes, exceeding 3000 meters. It has adjusted to the climate for over thousands of years which has given its hide some very unique characteristics. Find more about our project with the Yak leathers and Mongolian herders by watching the video below. If you can't see the Youtube player please click here. YAK LEATHERS Click the icon for more information! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US! Our experts will help you find the leather type, quality and colour that are best suited to your needs. Delivery details will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Please call or email us to find out more: KOKKOLAN Kourujärventie 10 67500 Kokkola, FINLAND Tel. +358 (0)6 824 4452 info(a)kokkolan.com VAT NUMBER: FI01791246 Juha Örnberg Managing Director Tel. +358 (0)6 824 4452 juha.ornberg(a)kokkolan.com Nina Volkmann Sales Assistant Tel. +358 (0)40 830 7293 sales(a)kokkolan.com nina(a)kokkolan.com Joe Taruru Production Manager Tel. +358 (0)44 774 1116 joe.taruru(a)kokkolan.com Tor-Erik Örnberg Purchasing Manager Tel. +358 (0)6 824 4451 torerik.ornberg(a)kokkolan.com Marianne Granlund Office/Accounting Tel. +358 (0)6 824 4450 info(a)kokkolan.com CONTACT ABOUT SEND MESSAGE SUSTAINABILITY Click the icon for more information! CODE OF CONDUCT Click the icon for more information! © Kokkolan 2015 Graphic Design: Malena Haglund