More and more people are falling in love with leather, turning piece after piece of leather into wallets and card holders that can be seen and used. The satisfaction is indescribable. But it turns out that many of the cowhide that craftsmen come into contact with comes from the Rui Hing Leather Factory in Kwai Fong, which has a history of more than 30 years.
But time is a nemesis of time. Bai Haoqian, a third-generation owner of the Ruixing leatherworking business, admits that the leatherworking business is facing a decline. While traditional factories prioritize mass production, he sought a niche in small batch orders and founded a new brand, The Lederer, expanding beyond leatherworking into product sales.
Bai Haoqian, born in the 1990s, can truly be considered the son of a leather family, as both his grandfather and maternal grandfather worked in the leather industry. His maternal grandfather's Ruihua Leather Factory originally shared a factory building with Ruixing. Ruihua later relocated to mainland China and is now managed by his uncle. His maternal grandfather then acquired Ruixing, which has since been run by his son-in-law (Bai Haoqian's father, Bai Jiancheng). His mother now oversees accounting and other daily operations.
This leather factory supported three generations of his family and also afforded Bai Haoqian the opportunity to study abroad. He earned his first degree in business management in the UK, but upon graduation, his father encouraged him to pursue further studies in leather, thereby gaining access to the family business and industry professionals worldwide, thus opening up new avenues for his career.
Dongguan teachers preserve time-honored brand
Bai Haoqian returned from his studies in 2014. He had witnessed his parents' hard work since childhood and struggled with whether to follow in their footsteps. He ultimately decided to help his parents and, more importantly, to continue the family business and its leather craftsmanship. He explained that there are only two leather factories left in Hong Kong, one of which is Ruixing, with over 30 years of history. "It would be a shame if it closed down, but I'm even more afraid that the family business will be destroyed by my generation."
Bai Haoqian first apprenticed at Ruihua in Dongguan for six months before returning to Ruixing to help out. "There are so many different masters in mainland China, and I wanted to see how they approach things." Having worked in two leather factories, he believes Ruixing used to be a traditional factory focused on production volume. However, with a shrinking market, it needed to find a niche in small batch orders, which led him to the idea of creating a new brand, The Lederer.
The new brand's initial business focused on small-batch leather wholesale, selling leather to the growing number of leather workshops and street-shoppers who DIY leather goods. Ruixing supplied the leather. Larger orders from existing customers were often carried under the Ruixing name, as the legacy of the brand couldn't be abandoned easily. Bai Haoqian jokingly admitted that it wasn't until he took over the family business that he realized Ruixing's prestigious reputation in the leather trade.
Leather modeling attracts Taiwanese customers
Bai Haoqian has set up a space on the second floor of the Ruixing factory as The Lederer Studio, where he also hosts workshops. Participants range from 17- and 18-year-old students to those in their 50s, but the majority are women. However, due to the remote location and the Hong Kong people's continued love of fast food, they are reluctant to rush to a Kwai Fong industrial building at 9 a.m. for a six- to eight-hour workshop, while also preferring to rely on others. Therefore, attendance has shown signs of dwindling.
Bai Haoqian then came up with the idea of offering kits that resemble model parts, including needles, thread, and white glue. This allows customers to build a model without having to purchase additional parts. While the experience of getting their hands dirty and handling leather helps them become more proficient in leather crafting in the future, Bai Haoqian explains that the price difference between a DIY kit and a finished leather product can easily reach hundreds of dollars, leading most customers to opt for the kits. Only a few who lack confidence in their craft but don't mind paying more opt for the finished product.
He also actively expanded his product sales channels. Besides his online store and studio in Ruixing, he also established multiple consignment points and listed his products on the Taiwanese design website Pinkoi, attracting a large Taiwanese fan base. Bai Haoqian stated that his products were selling well on Pinkoi, with a steady flow of orders. He averaged nearly 200 kits sold per month, 80% of which were from Taiwanese customers.
▲ Bai Haoqian, founder of The Lederer, studied leather in the UK. He said the European leather industry is also facing a generational gap, with his own college being the only one in Europe still offering specialized leather courses. (Photo by Chen Guofeng)
▲ The raw hides arrive from the slaughterhouse and go through more than 15 processes, including soaking and ash beating, before becoming usable hides. (Photo by Chen Guofeng)
▲ DIY material kits are very popular among customers (Photo by Chen Guofeng)
Bai Haoqian believes he has his own opinions, just like his father. He can be subjective at times, and arguments often end when he holds onto his own opinions. However, once he calms down, he can find a way to put himself in their shoes. (Photo by Chen Guofeng)
Leather Material Bags | Leather Customization | Leather Gifts
Article Source: HKETNET