50th
Townsend celebrated our 50th Anniversary in a big fun way! We are so proud and excited to be celebrating 50 years of passionate care for leather, those who craft it, and those who love… Full Aritcle
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Townsend celebrated our 50th Anniversary in a big fun way!
We are so proud and excited to be celebrating 50 years of passionate care for leather, those who craft it, and those who love it! 2019 is a celebratory year and we hosted a jubilee on September 6th, to celebrate in style!
View our year-end/looking forward blog post to see more about our 50th year:
On September 6th, we hosted a community-driven 50th Jubilee! We invited Partners from near and far, customers, suppliers, government officials and so many more to come together and celebrate 50 years of love for leather, those who make it, and those who love it.
Food trucks, a mechanical bull, games, photos, prizes… all lent itself to our carnival vibe and joyous atmosphere. We celebrated the Grand Opening of our newest building, that we lovingly call “The Stitch”, we honored our tradition of an annual Health+Wellness Fair with health-minded vendors and activities, and most importantly – we gave heartfelt thanks to the community and community leaders for their support over the past 50 years.
Townsend Leather Sales Reps and so many of the wonderful people that are a part of Townsend’s legacy and community from around the world came to join in the festivities and add to the fun.
We love our community and we love the support we have received for the past 50 years, especially as we worked to open our new building. Our Jubilee was a way for us to publicly say “thank you” in a big way.
We have been privileged to have our foundation in such a supportive and vibrant community, giving rise to 50 successful years with many more to come. Our 50th Jubilee was a moment for us to reflect on our past and honor the ways we have been able to stitch together our history, experience, community, growth, future, and dreams.
We have grown over the years in so many ways with the support of our Glove Cities community and the drive that comes from our passion for leather. We were honored to spotlight one of these ways as we present an official Grand Opening of our newest building, the home base of the event and the future for much of Townsend’s greatness, “The Stitch” Building on Grove Street in Johnstown.
We held an official ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of “The Stitch” and a special grand ceremony with heart-focused words from Terry and Barbara Kucel as they reflected on the last 50 years and give thanks to Townsend’s Partners – our employees, our suppliers, our customers, our reps, and our local community and community leaders – for their hard work and support over these 5 decades and in making the opening of the beautifully-restored building a reality.
IN ITS 50TH YEAR IN OPERATION, TOWNSEND LEATHER LOOKS AHEAD WITH EXPANSION INTO NEWLY-RESTORED BUILDING, LINKING THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE
In 2019, Townsend Leather celebrated its 50th Anniversary. This year also marked another milestone for the company with its expansion into a newly-restored building. This building, which the company has affectionately nicknamed “The Stitch,” is Townsend’s new home for sales, marketing, accounting, human resources and management teams along with warehouse of raw materials. The multi-building connected complex that formerly served as the Diana Knitting Mill was originally built in 1900 and had been vacant for 16 years before Townsend purchased the property in late 2017 and undertook a massive renovation project.
The company secured a grant to help with this huge undertaking and the first major part of the renovation was a new roof and refitting of windows. As far as the interior, Townsend salvaged the wood and local artisans combined the floorboards with other reclaimed pieces of leather milling, sewing and knitting equipment and materials to create new pieces of furniture for use through The Stitch, highlighting the heritage of both Townsend and the Diana Knitting Mill.
Says, Tim Beckett, Townsend Leather Senior Vice President and lead on the renovation project, “You don’t buy wood from 1900 every day of the week, so you’ll see here some of the pieces of furniture that we built out of the floors. What we tried to do is bring in a lot of the old stuff from our mill and a couple of other mills, but also mix in with knitting, so you’ll see some sewing machines around.”
Throughout The Stitch original wooden beams and brick walls are featured prominently in open-concept spaces being utilized for modern office areas and conference rooms. On the second and third floors, the original wooden floors remain intact and Townsend purchased reclaimed wooden doors where called for to maintain the architectural aesthetic. Beckett says, “We wanted to make sure we kept the building looking like an old building.” And of course, leather is another common feature of the décor in the form of large and small swatches, samples and photos of finished pieces Townsend’s leather has been turned into and fixtures and pieces of furniture covered in the material. Even though the bulk of leather-making still occurs at Townsend’s Townsend Avenue location a few minutes across town, The Stitch is a showcase for what the company is capable of producing.
While the interior of The Stitch has a timeless feel through the mix of antique and contemporary design work, Beckett noted that all new gas and electric was installed in the building, along with a three-stop elevator to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Only a warehouse on the second floor for storing Townsend’s raw production materials has a modern feel featuring newly installed metal racks and lighting fixtures.
The need for storage space motivated Townsend to purchase the Diana Knitting Mill complex as the company sought a location to warehouse hides purchased from Germany where the highest-grade leathers in the world are produced. Townsend finishes the materials according to contracts with designers and manufacturers in the residential, hospitality, contract, aviation, and transportation markets around the world.
The company considered opening warehouse space in Germany or in New York City before deciding to secure a space locally. Townsend originally sought only 20,000 square feet but ultimately purchased the 66,000-square-foot Diana Knitting Mill complex due to the look of the building and the potential the management team saw when they walked through it.
The building features a variety of spaces, including several areas that Townsend will market as leasable office space on the first and third floors. Beckett said Townsend has already lined up a tenant with 26 employees to occupy a roughly 4,000 square foot space on the first floor.
In moving the 50-year-old company forward, Beckett said executives carefully contemplated Townsend’s future, coming to the conclusion that the building would be ideal for supporting growth or contraction by the company as the building is actually composed of two tax parcels that could be divided if the company sought to downsize in the future by relocating the company offices. “We could split the building in half, we have separate utilities for both. WE could rent that all out for office space and just use this for storage. We were trying to think about where we’re going to be and what we’re going to do.”
As the company continues to grow, there will be plenty of room at The Stitch for expansion.
Townsend Leather is a third-generation, U.S.-based family business and manufacturer of upholstery hides and decorative leathers, supplying the A & D Residential, Hospitality, Home Furnishings, Corporate, business, and Commercial Aviation, Motorcoach, and Yachting markets internationally. The company prides itself on pushing the boundaries of what is possible from the perspectives of color, texture, pattern and cutting-edge design and technological opportunities. www.townsendleather.com
Classic leather is classic. But Heritage and Excel can be classic, too.
Townsend offers an incredible array of products. We can match any color, texture, sheen, design, embossing . . . Because of these seemingly limitless options, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to use for different applications, customers, and situations. Three of our top products are suitable for most needs, but sometimes, customers feel a little unclear about how these products compare and contrast to each other. So, we want to reintroduce you to some “old friends,” as we answer the question, What the HECK? (What’s the difference between Heritage, Excel, and Classic? Now you Know!)
Classic Cowhide (CL) Our most popular leather; is aniline-dyed cowhide with a natural smooth grain. We use a light calfskin-like finish on it that highlights its grain. Classic has super softness and durability. This is the leather you are probably most familiar with as it the Finished leather that is the least altered from its original condition. Because of this, there will be natural variation in grain texture within a hide. Classic tends to be to the go-to choice for many designers and with its super soft hand, nice natural grain character, and light calfskin-like finish, it is a very good choice indeed as the look is one desired by many end-users. However, there are two “buddies” of Classic that you can consider for similar applications as well.
Our Excel Cowhide (EX) is also an aniline-dyed cowhide. It has the same light finish as Classic and an outstanding wear performance, but it also features an enhanced pebbled grain that results in a superior cutting yield. Excel is a great choice if the customer you’re working with is concerned with uniformity of grain character throughout the leather and if they prefer a more consistent pebbled grain look to their leather.
Heritage Cowhide (HT) is again an aniline-dyed, Finished cowhide. It has a light pigmentation, providing a protective finish and high-wear performance. Its enhanced grain texture character and soft, comfortable hand create a most aesthetically-pleasing leather. The cutting yield with Heritage is excellent as well. Heritage and Excel are comparable to Classic in many ways. Because Townsend selects only the best quality hides for all of its leathers, whether it be Heritage, Excel, or Classic, we are able to maintain a light finish and minimal alterations to the hide. All three products have a pigmented finish for durability and are easily cleaned and maintained over time. Heritage and Excel do have an enhanced grain and this provides the ability to mask some imperfections or make less apparent some natural characteristics that would be more obvious in Aniline leathers and even in Classic. But just like our Classic leather, Heritage and Excel have the hand and drape associated with the highest quality full-grain leathers. The bonus is that they have added consistency and protection. Similar enhanced grain leathers in the market can often be stiff, boardy and vinyl-like in appearance. That is not the case with Townsend’s Classic, Heritage, or Excel leathers. We strive to keep all of our leathers as natural-feeling and looking as possible.
Heritage and Excel are good options to keep in mind in addition to our Classic product. They are soft and beautiful with a light finish and luxurious feel. They are durable, have a great cutting yield, and are also aesthetically-pleasing to the eye and touch. And they can be more economical for projects that have a tight-er budget. So, go ahead and try out Heritage and Excel leathers for an upcoming project. Now that you know more about them, you can feel confident that these products provide beauty, durability, softness, and can be more cost-effective. Who could ask for more?!?! Shown here are furniture pieces upholstered in Excel leather, as de-signed by Sam Robin Interior Design of Miami, FL.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year and look back over Townsend Leather’s lush history, it is humbling and moving to see all that we share this anniversary year with… the Beatles last performance, the Moon Landing, Woodstock… and the catalyst event to establish Pride month.
Townsend has long been a force of love and connection, as seen in our work, our people and on our shirts, billboards, and banners emblazoned with our All Are Welcome symbol and the philosophy behind that symbol being a cornerstone-value of how we work. And as expressed on International Women’s Day, “We take the challenges of pushing the boundaries of leather, production, and culture seriously. We are heartfelt intent on balance, growth, and innovation for all, especially those that face marginalization and unfair barriers“. Therefore, we feel a sense of reverence and respect at sharing our anniversary-year with such a powerfully important movement.
The Stonewall Riots happened 50 years ago in nearby-to-Townsend, New York City, and out of the strength, bravery, and action of those that stood up – grew the necessary and powerful annual LGBTQ+ focused Pride Month.
This month, especially, we honor those groundbreakers and pioneers who came before to get us where we are today, as a more united group of humans. There is still work to do.
We look to the bright future and those who will do incredible things, and look forward to ways we can support and grow rights for all humans.
While we celebrate 50 historical years along with millions of others for various reasons, we also put emphasis on stitching together our past with our future. Our focus on the future gives us motivation to narrow in on youth and the challenges young LGBT face. So we proudly support the work and mission of the Human Rights Campaign, https://www.hrc.org/explore/topic/children-youth with a donation in honor of these significant 50 years. Proud to help “create an inclusive learning environment for [all] students”.
It is thought-provoking to recognize, just 4 years ago we were celebrating the Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage a nation-wide right…
It is uplifting to imagine the many more movements and growth that we can collectively celebrate in the coming years. And we will be there in the ways we can, supporting and being an ally, creating a company-culture based on respect, inclusion, and growth… and of course doing it in the most color-filled way we can! 🏳️🌈
As passionate expert color-crafters, our Sample Set Boxes are always explosions of color, but our Pride-Month Rainbow 🌈 Pride Box is especially colorfilled. Contact us at info@townsendleather.com to add one to your library.
https://townsendleather.com/leather/samples/product-lines/_Sample-Sets-and-Materials_
And we would be remiss if we did not highlight one of our newest designer-driven, Pride-complimentary products, Stacy Garcia Bond Cowhide.
The strong Ruby, vibrant Curry, eye-grabbing Emerald, and daring Cobalt colors seamlessly blend into our rainbow collection. And with its strong linear embossed pattern, it brings to mind the bold stripes of a flag. Timeless, bold, self-assured, and complimentary – Stacy Garcia Bond Cowhide is a delightful Color-Trend highlight for Townsend Leather this Pride month of June.
Contact us for Stacy Garcia Bond Cowhide samples, a Rainbow Pride Sample Box, or anything else.
TOWNSEND LEATHER HAS A YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSf18bi-XfRyDU7cJjiR1aw/
or use the easy to type/remember short link(“bit dot l y slash TL VIDS”):
If you want to see some previous scenes of Townsend on the big little screen, check out the wealth of links below:
https://youtu.be/7DgrpiT7q8Y – 2018 Year in Blurview (slideshow)
https://youtu.be/0A2bBu_hHaw – Townsend’s quilting capability!
https://youtu.be/ctKfcds0lT0 – Conversation with Kevin Kucel about Townsend history for the Longevity Luncheon
https://youtu.be/QFMduivVvik – In-Stock Program
https://youtu.be/rKx3c4yoMpU – Crafting A Color
https://youtu.be/Bef-0PWSm84 – Namaste Collection Production
https://youtu.be/q8Pl6hujwDs – Gaufrage Zen
https://youtu.be/kZME8VfG6Jg – Captivating Crossroads Embossing and Tipping
https://youtu.be/u5OCvnLdjMs – Who What Where Guys – these guys are the best
https://youtu.be/Rdl4XCIRtjE – 2017 in Blurview (slideshow)
https://youtu.be/kPdaDy9fL3s – 2017 Health + Wellness Fair (slideshow)
https://youtu.be/MZi10NL_HKw – Monica Sun Salutation Instructional
https://youtu.be/GKZTx93XFG4 – TownZend Yoga Full Story
https://youtu.be/2-eu7P1Do6U – Townsend Product Photos (slideshow)
https://youtu.be/69BXi1YHzQI – 2017 New Balance Team Visit (slideshow)
https://youtu.be/P1aHhjcBi6s – Floor Sweeper Beatdown 2015 (explicit lyrics)
https://youtu.be/K0J6A7XyZ0c – 2017 Townsend Mannequin Challenge
https://youtu.be/CKyckHv3p8A – Stacy Garcia Hand Tipping
https://youtu.be/mWPRVfCmtSE – Tile Edging Instructional 2015
https://youtu.be/DFjNRNbhwfo – 2012 NBAA, video of customers holding leather mustaches in our booth
https://youtu.be/ebrrJnMvu9U – Cutting Program Intro 2012
https://youtu.be/pW96RuKvo1w – 3M Scotchgard Introduction (very old)
https://youtu.be/t_D3zaq5bjU?t=59s – AD which shows Townsend Leather on the seats
https://youtu.be/Nn993VWiFrM – Constant Aviation ad video showing some Townsend leather
https://youtu.be/IiFTE9pEKWs – Introduction to Townsend Leather 2012
Once again, Townsend took time this Earth Day to beautify the Townsend campus and all the surrounding areas. One of the exciting things for Townsend’s near future is our growth into an additional building, lovingly called “The Stitch”. This building is just a short walk from our current home base and we can get there through a restored and carefully maintained trail, The Rail Trail.
We took some time as a group to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and then got to work cleaning everything in sight. Spread across many areas in many directions, some cleaned up the greenery around Townsend, some took the walk to The Stitch and cleaned along the way.
Earth Day, can be a time for big actions and hearty moments of change. But it can also be a day to breathe, and look, smell, feel, listen… to truly and deeply appreciate the glory of nature, the beauty of our earth and the beauty of the area right frickin here – where we work! We loved getting outside, enjoying the beautiful Townsend campus, and enjoying our great mother earth.
Earth day is always a meaningful day for us and is an important part of the Townsend way.
Townsend’s Environmental Statement
We had an absolute delight in spending time with the future. Townsend participated in Bring Your Child To Work Day and loved having lots of littles (and mediums and bigs) around.
It was heartwarming to see so many Parents proudly showing off what they do all day to their bright-eyed and excited children. And seeing them connect with their kids over the craft, team, and fun that is created at Townsend every day.
We were able to take a big group tour, handing out lots of scrap leather, seeing awesomeness in action, and even enjoying some ice cream all together as a family team.
These moments of connection – these special and unique moments of connection – connection to family, to work-life, to creating… are moments that express the true joy of being a Townsend Leather Partner.
We loved having young minds in the building, observing, learning, asking. Having a moment to share our sense of team, or focus on fun, and our passion for craft – is always a delight, but especially when it builds a connection to the future.
We love being able to have our hardworking Partners share with their children, and the future workforce, a sense of Townsend’s teamwork, focus on fun, and our passion for handcrafted leather making. Many of them were natural color creators and even tried their hand at tipping, a skill that takes years to perfect!
Being able to experience the joy they brought is just another reason Townsend is one of the Best Places to Work.
Thank you to all the engaged, eager, and super-fun children that visited Townsend today and thank you to all the impressive ever-awesome Parents/Partners that hosted them!
Also, a bonus set of photos… we have many many families at Townsend – we have Parents that “bring their child to work” every day by working side by side with them at Townsend, we even have many pairings that consider themselves “work moms” or “work dads” to some Partners. One of those pairings is a Townsend favorite ‘goof-ball comedy duos’, Tommy and Kevin. Shown here in a short photo series of Daddy Kevin becoming increasingly exasperated at lil Tommy, always getting into mischief… Ohhh TomMYYY!
We loooove color, we love spotting trends, we love crafting trends, we love any reason to delve into and explore a color scheme and so we are always eagerly awaiting Pantone’s annual Color of The Year announcement. It gives us a chance to play and design and develop.
Pantone chose a standout color as their choice for the year, a world unto itself, conjuring images of the sea and life and bright unknowns, LIVING CORAL, https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2019
We are excited to showcase some of our beautiful leathers, just in time for Spring, that embodies this coral hue with its golden undertone.
In our everyday busy lives, we seek for the calmness and soft edge that this color brings, but with the vibrancy and energy that encourages us to live with optimism and for joyful experiences. We have selected some of our vibrant and saturated leathers that showcase this beautiful color. Shown below with a couple of coordinating beauties.
Contact us at info@townsendleather.com for your own luxurious, vibrant, calming sample set and see one of these inspired masterpieces with your own eyes and hands.
Or click through our sample lightbox to take a closer look at some Living Coral inspired leathers:
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