OUR VISION
At Nakara, we envision a future where our commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability propels us to become the unrivalled leader in raw to finish leather manufacturing across Southern Africa. Together, with our stakeholders, customers, and communities, we will shape a future where leather manufacturing thrives sustainably, and our legacy endures for generations to come.
35
different Raw Material
25
current Product developments
43
Years of experience
1
Tannery award winner
The Nakara Story
Step into the captivating story of Nakara, a leather manufacturing company that traces its root back to a bygone era. Our rich history is woven with the threads of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to the art of leather craftsmanship
TANNERY OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA
At Nakara, sustainability is not just a buzzword; it is a fundamental principle that guides our every decision. We are proud to be a sustainable leather manufacturer, and one of the key ways we achieve this is by exclusively sourcing local cattle hides. This deliberate choice allows us to minimize our environmental impact, support the local economy, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
FROM RAW MATERIAL TO FINISHED LEATHER
At Nakara we are passionate about the transformative power of leather. Our mission is to source the highest quality local raw cattle hides and skilfully craft them into exquisite finished leather, catering to the diverse needs of our esteemed customers. With unwavering dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability we have established ourselves as a trusted name in the leather manufacturing industry.
OUR CUSTOMERS
We are proud to serve a diverse clientele in the furniture, shoe and fashion industries, locally and across international borders. Our commitment to excellence. innovation and customer satisfaction has positioned us as a trusted partner for businesses seeking high-quality leather. While we take pride in our local roots, we also embrace the global nature of the furniture, shoe and fashion industries. Our commitment to serving international customers has enabled us to expand our reach and establish a strong presence in the global market. We cater an exceptional leather offering to all businesses all around the world, who appreciate craftsmanship, quality and attention to sustainability.
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 is made up of a thorny bush vegetation in which the animals are grazing. As a result, scratches from thorny twigs, scars from barbed wire fences, tick bites or horn scratches are natural markings which are part of the animals 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.
Top grain leather is a type of leather that is considered to be of high quality. It is derived from the top or outermost layer of the animal hide, specifically from the portion that remains after the split of the full-grain leather. The top grain layer possesses strong and durable fibres, making it resistant to wear and tear. It also retains the natural grain and markings of the animal’s skin, which gives it a more authentic and desirable appearance. To enhance the appearance and durability of top grain leather, it is often subjected to treatments such as sanding and buffing. These processes help to remove any imperfections or blemishes on the surface, resulting in a smoother and more uniform look.
Compared to full-grain leather, top grain leather may be slightly less breathable and may not develop a natural patina over time. However, it is still highly regarded for its strength, durability, and resistance to stains and moisture. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of high-quality leather goods such as furniture, handbags, belts, and shoes.
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.