Chanel buys leather tannery Megisserie Richard

The legendary French luxury fashion house keeps pursuing its supply chain integration strategy with the acquisition of a top sheepskin tannery in France.

After acquiring the French glove maker Gausse in 2012 and Bodin Joyeux tannery in December 2013, Chanel has acquired a majority stake in Megisserie Richard, a sheep leather tannery based in Millau, France.

Founded in 1852, the family business is specialised in high quality plunged lambskins from Lacaune and Entrefino breeds for leather goods, particularly for smaller pieces and other accessories.

Megisserie Richard employs around 40 people and exports about 60 percent of its production. Holding over 30 years of experience, Xavier Richard will remain as Director to continue developing leathers for the company.

Bruno Pavlovsky, current president of Chanel, has commented the deal, highlighting that "this acquisition will sustain a vital link in the leather production chain and offers the opportunity to strengthen Chanel leather chain excellence. We are very pleased to welcome in our activities this new entity which brings a craftsmanship that has been passed down since 1852 and provides a first-class material for the emblematic Chanel bags. "

As recalled by various market experts, this acquisition complements that of Causse gloves maker in 2012, and the Tanneries Bodin Joyeux in 2013.

The Paris fashion powerhouse has embarked in an ambitious plan to “invest in order to revitalise the sector and develop innovation in new methods of synthetic and vegetable tanning."

Xavier Richard will be responsible of ensuring the operational management of the company, while Mégisserie Richard will in turn continue to work with all of its customers, without exclusivity, "according to the strategy defined and followed by Chanel in its acquisitions."