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Why not start a Tannery in the New England Area?

Discussion in 'Tanning' started by Bruce_Rittel, Nov 26, 2015.

  1. Nov 26, 2015 #1
    Bruce_Rittel

    Bruce_Rittel Consultant Services

    965
    38
    Raynham MA 02767
    I guess it’s my turn to ask a question on Taxidermy.Net – Tanning! Why are there no Tanneries up here in this New England area handling and Tanning Furs, Hair and Wool ons for Taxidermists? It’s an opportunity waiting to be exploited – very profitably, for both the Tannery and the Taxidermists we have in this area!

    Think about it. You could probably drive to such a Tannery from anywhere in these areas and save on shipping costs. And if the Tannery itself was consistent and reliable – it would be a profitable investment! For both of you – the Tannery as well as the Taxidermist!

    There are a lot of Taxidermists doing only Part-time Taxidermy. And obviously a few doing it Full time too! We all have high Shipping costs to contend with! Sometimes the amount of Tanning can be over-whelming for them, and this is where a Good Tannery can be profitable for them. But most of the available reliable Tanneries are located in areas, out of the new England regions!

    In the New England area, encompassing Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachussets, even the Eastern parts of Upstate New York - we have a large amount of potential Customers. However, we need a Tannery that’s consistent in turning out Quality workmanship, and staying reliable! It can be done! Opening such a Tannery is waiting to happen! And it can be very profitable!

    A Tannery in the New England area is a good idea for anyone to think about. It’s been on my mind for years, and I would consider it a wise investment, with room to grow and expand as the Project grows! And it can! I’m available if you want to pursue this idea! I have the contacts with people that reliably and honestly can build and supply the needed Warranted Equipment, and the sources needed to Supply the Chemicals, as well the Training you will need to make you a successful Tannery! Give it some thought!

    Contact me. I can give you a Proposal on your Aspirations, based on what you may already have available. It will outline what you may need to open such a business, and if you find yourself looking for a financial Partner, Government Loan or Bank Loan, the Proposal can be used to make them consider you seriously involved in developing such a Project. The Proposal will contain current costs, and include a rundown on Chemical Costs (for 6 Months), Equipment Costs, and my Services on site, helping you to initiate Operation, as soon as your Equipment becomes delivered, installed and operable!

    It can be a good and profitable Retirement Operation for you, local people, and Family. It can include Taxidermy Work, and Rugging Services, and I only recommend proven Tanning Methods, and ones that will enhance the quality of your output. You can be extremely competitive in the Tanning Market!

    Wishing you nothing but success!

    Bruce Rittel

    PS – If you want to e-mail you can at – Bruce_Rittel@comcast.net - Don’t forget the _ between bruce and rittel!
     
  3. Nov 28, 2015 #2
    John C

    John C Well-Known Member

    16,976
    1,205
    Between South Africa and America.
    Anne, does a very good job.
    Sivko Fur Inc Tannery for Taxidermy is the Best and the ...
    www.sivkofur.com/
    Sivko Fur Inc is the Best and the Fastest Full Service Commercial Tannery with the highest quality tanning services and fastest turnaround times in the tanning ...
    3089 Canisteo River Rd, Canisteo, NY 14823
    (607) 698-4827
     

  5. Nov 28, 2015 #3
    Frank E. Kotula

    Frank E. Kotula master, judge, instructor

    3,791
    1,881
    wilkes barre
    LOL John, Bruce and Sivko are and have been friends for way to long to mention here. All he's stating that there is an opportunity to open another tanning service. He did not knock them down or anything. Just a thought
     
  6. Nov 28, 2015 #4
    Bruce_Rittel

    Bruce_Rittel Consultant Services

    965
    38
    Raynham MA 02767
    Hi John!

    Thanks Frank! I think the USA is truly blessed with some great Tanneries to choose from – it was never my intention to criticize anyone, or bash their business. They’ve all earned their reputations, and they have some excellent skilled people staffing them. They are Consistent and Reliable, and that enhances their success! SIVCO is one of the successful Tanneries – and I sincerely wish them well! I hope it’s a great upcoming season for them, and I have a lot of respect for Ann and her Staff! Ann and I are long time friends!
     
  7. Nov 29, 2015 #5
    D.Price

    D.Price Well-Known Member

    3,450
    287
    Youngsville, North Carolina
    On the contrary Bruce, I would have to respectfully disagree. A tannery is something that is very tough to get going, especially starting from the ground up. If it is such a profitable venture why wouldn't you have already started one instead of pumping someone else full of the crap they want to hear? Sounds like a sales pitch to me, much like one that would come from Bill Metterhauser.

    It is a huge risk with possibly little return. Truth is 25 years ago you would have a valid argument, but now days with the internet, tanning chemicals at arms reach and the fact that you can buy a fleshing/shaving machine brand new in the box for less than $1000 pretty much nullifies any such "MAJOR" tannery start up plan IMO.

    There are small tannery operations all over the country now, taxidermist are tanning for others to compensate their income because of the cutthroat industry taxidermy is.

    If someone is planning a start up right now they better be prepared to handle African skins as well as bears because that is going to be the make or break items. Everyone "THINKS" they can properly tan a deer cape, so the tannery will be handling the tough, heavy, nasty skins such as African that are tough to rehydrate or bison and sheep that are a bitch to handle as well as greasy bears and hogs.

    Now, you better have good dependable staff to shave, and mix formulas. One wrongly mixed pickle could cost you 1000's of $$$ in less than 24 hours. You will need someone that is capable of marking/tagging skins and getting them back to the correct customer. You are going to have to pay this staff to keep them loyal and keep the work coming in so they don't jump ship and go to a competing tannery and share your processes. To get the work in, you are going to have to take it from someone else, so you will need someone in charge of marketing and crisscrossing the country to show after show(this by the way takes years).

    Now on to the facility, are you going to build or rent? Is the municipality or county going to let you dump your waste water and at what cost, your fleshings and your used saw dust because you are going to have to offer dry tan as well which means more employees? If you rent, is the landlord going to allow you to have all the corrosive and hazardous chemicals in his buildings and on his property. You are going to need non productive square footage for storage so you can buy chemicals in bulk so you can compete with your prices. You will also need room to store the backlog of skins until you can get them tanned. Walk-in freezers will be needed as well.

    I haven't even touched on USDA certification for foreign shipments, fire codes, taxes, insurance etc. I am by no means saying it can't be done, but it can't be done as easy as you make it sound. You are throwing in taxidermy and rugging services, are your tanning customers going to send a competitor their work so you can steal names and info from paperwork so you can grow the taxidermy side, you know the temptation will be there?

    Let's keep it real here and not mislead anyone, I know there is a lot of used equipment out there from all the fur dressing(garment) tanneries that have closed over the years and folks looking to make a quick hustle, all I'm saying is lets don't do it at the cost of the misinformed.

    ........And hell no I don't want to start a tannery, I was offered the chance to buy a well established tannery on several different occasions and I told the owner I wouldn't take the headache if he gave it to me.

    DP
     
  8. Nov 29, 2015 #6
    WildlifeLady

    WildlifeLady Member

    363
    5
    Ohio
    Well stated D, you hit pretty much all of the nails. I can't imagine a backlog of 3-6 months of tanning, rotten smelly stuff from UPS EVERYDAY, training people, equipment breakdowns,
    enormous electric bills from all of the freezers( I have 12), and employees that won't show up. Hard enough to do it on your own.