Our vision
We thrive to be the leading manufacturer for state-of-the-art quality leather in sub-saharan Africa. In doing so, we strongly focus on innovation and sustainability in our manufacturing process throughout the entire production cycle. From the arrival of raw hides at our doorstep to the last step of leather finishing.
14
different Raw Material
50
current Product developments
42
Years of experience
1
Tannery award winner
The Nakara Story...
Nakara was founded by Kevin Davidow in 1980. With little funds available he bought his first second hand machinery which consisted of a fur machine, stepping machine and a sewing machine. In Windhoek he rented a small garage in a backyard of a friend, employed two machinists and started producing Springbok and Jackal jackets for a local fur company.
From Raw Material to Finished leather
Nakara’s entire tanning cycle, from procurement of raw skins to finishing the leather, is carried out at our own tannery. Raw cattle hides are sourced from abattoirs, dealers and local farmers all over Namibia. Game skins which are brought to our tannery by local farmers and dealers are predominantly Springbok, Oryx, Kudu, Eland or Hartebeest. These antilopes are an important source of meat for the local population, the skin is only a byproduct. The process of making raw hides into finished leather is a sequence of several interrelated operations with strict quality control throughout the entire production process.
Our Customers
Furniture upholstery is our main export market for bovine and game leather. However, with growing demand for the most varied styles and finishes of authentic bovine and game leather, we export to all industries that specialize in the manufacturing of exclusive leathergoods and interior design applications.
Tannery of the year Africa
Nakara’s entire production cycle, from procurement of raw skins to finished leather is carried out at our tannery in Windhoek. This makes Nakara unique in all of Africa.
Leather production steps
Cattle hides & Game skins
We buy your cattle hides and game skins!
Please fill in the contact form and we will get in touch with you.
Our Commitment
In order to meet our customers demand in high quality leather, we constantly invest in the newest state of the art machinery as well as in more sustainable tanning solutions. Water used in the tanning process, is being treated by municipality standards before being discharged. Our Nakara leather is a result of years of experience, extensive research & development but above all driven by a passionate team who strive to meet the highest level of customer satisfaction.
Leather Characteristics
Nakara sources it’s raw hides predominantely from Namibian abattoirs, dealers and farmers. In order to cherish the beauty and characteristics of natural leather, it is important to understand the living environment of Namibian free roaming cattle and game. Most of Namibia’s commercial farmland vegetation is made up of thorn bush savannah in which the cattle and game is grazing. As a result, scratches from twigs or thorns of bushes plus scars from barbed wire fences, tick bites or horn scratches are natural markings which are part of a cattle’s natural habitat. These scars typically heal over time but leave slight visible markings on the hide. These markings plus the cattle’s brand marks are not considered defects but the living proof of the leather’s natural origins.
Differences in Leather
To the layman’s eyes, leather seems to be uniform in character, however this is far from the truth as leather can vary greatly in look & feel, quality and performance. Choosing the right leather requires a certain understanding of the different characteristics of each leather type, which is influenced through its production process, starting by the quality of the raw hide. This determines into what article the leather will be made during it’s finishing stage.
Aniline is the most natural, soft and authentic type of leather and thus regarded as of the highest quality. Aniline leather can only be made from the best raw hides at the beginning of the production process. Aniline leather shows the true characteristics of leather such as scars, scratches, insect bites, fat wrinkles or growth marks. This type of leather has no top layer coating which allows the leather to breathe and thus ensures highest seating comfort.
Semi-aniline leather is more suitable for applications where regular usage and exposure to direct sunlight play a factor. Semi-Aniline leather is the perfect blend of a more uniform look while still displaying the authentic characteristics of the leather although less obvious than of full aniline. The applied light pigment coating on semi-aniline leather ensures an even coloration without inhibiting the breathability of the hide.
the top layer of the grain is buffed in order to eliminate imperfections and blemishes. It is the second highest quality leather. A top coat is applied to conserve its beautiful and natural look.
Pigmented leather is the most treated and most durable leather. During processing, the hides are buffed to reduces scars, veining or branding. The leather is subsequently coated with a color pigment. Corrected Grain leather gets an additional artificial grain pattern embossed onto the hide. Pigmented leather is very hard wearing and more resistant to fading and scratching. This leather is for those who value the practicability over the natural characteristics of leather. Although corrected grain leather requires the least amount of care, it also lacks the aesthetics and characteristics of natural leather.