FAH leather

FAH leather /FAH-Kožar, primary preparation, processing and dyeing of leather

The Frljak family, through various forms of activity, has been involved in leather since 1971. The long-standing family tradition, experience and knowledge were crowned in February 2014 when they registered the leather trade under the name FAH-Kožar/FAH Leather. The company is privately owned by the Frljak family, Fehim and Harisa Frljak.

Four generations of knowledge in family business with leather combined with knowledge gained through practice with father Fehim, who is a master artisan in leather processing; secondary craft school

The family leather business was started in 1971 by Fehim Frljak, the father of today’s director and the owner of the company, Haris Frljak. Fehim started the business after finishing leather craft training and more than 30 years of working experience at the local leather factory, KTK Visoko. His company deals with leather processing, which dates to pre-Turkish times in Visoko. Today, they make furs, finished leather that is ready for use and the production of jackets, shoes, and furniture upholstery. Their company also deals with the export of raw leather, which is their main occupation. FAH buys animal skin not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina but also from other countries in the region. After transportation, there is sorting, grading, and then tanning in plants, where 42 workers work. ‘The leather in these areas is of very high quality, and this is confirmed by the demand of our customers, who ask for a ton or a truckload more from month to month,’ said Haris the owner.

The area where the leather is collected, sorted, and stored is a large hall and a supporting object of the plant where further steps of processing, tanning, and dyeing of the leather take place. In addition to the storage hall and the processing area, there is a building or area for fine leather processing and finishing (sewing), as well as offices for technical and economic staff, a kitchen and areas for rest and product presentation.

The techniques and processes used in processing rawhide and fur are a combination of traditional and modern techniques, technologies, tools and additives. After wetting, washing, and the removal of flesh and wool or hair from the skin, a semi-product called Pickl is obtained through further chemical treatment. This semi-product was obtained by acidifying the leather with sulfuric or formic acid with the addition of a neutral salt. As such, Pickl is used in further production as a raw material to produce Wet Blue. Further processing of the leather, i.e., additional treatment and tanning of the leather after the Wet Blue phase, results in a semi-finished leather product called Crust. The skin in the Crust phase acquires properties such as basic color, softness and, if necessary, hydrophobicity. In this phase, the leather is prepared according to the purpose for which it will be used, i.e., whether it is intended for the footwear or clothing program.

Purchase raw, salted hides on the domestic market. Import/export: raw, salted hides. Primary leather processing: salting, trimming, sorting by categories and classes. Leather processing: semi-finished and finished products like Pickl, Wet Blue, Crust and fur from lamb, sheep, goat, calf, beef and cow. In addition to the combination of experience and energetic youth, the strength of the FAH company is also reflected in its continuous aspiration to expand business activities and to enter the market with new programs in the field of leather.