help on saddlery research ideas :)

[native eventer]

Hello everyone,

I am currently in my 3rd year of a degree, as I am on a business course I want to do a reasearch on the saddlery industry. I am thinking of doing costings on handmade vs manufacturing saddles and economies of scale. It is still very much in the beginning idea stages. Was wondering if anybody had any more ideas and could help me on where I could get more info on saddlerys and costings etc!! Thank you.

 

[sbloom]

I could help a little - if you send me an email to info@stephaniebloomportraits.co.uk I'll help as much as I can.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I maybe be able to help, I was trained in costing and cutting as part of my saddlery course at Cordwainers college and have been putting them into practice ever since 1988.
Saddlery has changed beyond recognition since I became a Saddler and I have often struggled to keep up.
Email me on unicornleather@lineone.net if you wish to ask any questions.
I will answer them if I can.
I hand make most of my saddlery, I don't make saddles anymore as I simply can't compete with massed produced and/or imported saddlery.It costs me more in raw materials before I even start making anything than it does for me to buy in ready made massed produced saddlery. It has largely killed the saddlery trade over the years with alot of the old saddlery companies going bust.