Our Sustainability Journey

Sustainability: A passionate approach

A journey that began back in the early 80’s when the company was bought by the current owner. They held the belief that there was an alternative approach to fast fashion manufactured abroad, one that celebrated timeless, beautiful products crafted using traditional methods in England. The brand already enjoyed an illustrious and fascinating heritage for fine leather goods supplied to Royalty and Society ladies and the vision was to uphold this coveted time-honoured approach and legacy.

Launer continued to employ artisans skilled in historic leather making methods to produce expertly made bags and small leather goods and accessories that could last a lifetime.

To this day, every item is handmade in their distinguished Grade II listed Edwardian building in the heart of Walsall, an area renowned for its leather manufacturing industry.

Sustainability Via our Repair Service

All Launer products are crafted to enjoy for a lifetime. Customers maintain them as keepsakes which become treasured mementos through the years and passed on down the generations.

Much loved bags and accessories enjoy a renewed lease of life with The Repair Service carried out by a dedicated team of leather craftspeople. By investing in repairs, the life of the designs are prolonged

Sustainability of production

All products are made to order, a unique business model, which eliminates stock and excess items housed in storage. Leather supplies and fittings are also kept to a minimum using only what is needed. This considered approach ensures that every style holds its value as it is crafted specifically to the requirements of customers and the materials used recently delivered.

We have adopted a policy that embraces virtually no waste by using surplus leather for all inner parts of small leather goods, handbag bases, gussets and straps. Every piece of leather must meet our rigorous quality inspection team’s approval before construction.

Sustainability of packaging

Packaging is an important aspect of our sustainable mission with much consideration has been given to responsible sourcing. Since 2023, all our packaging is now ‘FSA approved’, fully recyclable and where possible created from recycled materials. We use packaging in the most economical way whilst maintaining the integrity of the products.

New innovations have been integrated into our packaging range such as paper rope handles. We continue to work with our community of partners and suppliers to eliminate all plastic within Launer’s business operations.

Sustainability and Craftspeople

The heartbeat of Launer is their craftspeople – women and men with a passion and exceptional skill for crafting the remarkable leather goods that the brand is synonymous for. These valued skilled artisans take many months and even years to train with highly valued apprenticeships in the art of traditional leather making, a journey the company is committed to and all from the local area.

The ethos and culture reflects a diverse and inclusive collective community with the focus on encouragement, nurture and incentivisation. The pride each person feels in each finished piece which may be seen through the pictures customers send, on Royalty and dignitaries.

Planet Mark Accreditation – helping to reduce our Carbon footprint

An important step for Launer is the partnership with Planet Mark who, since 2013 has embarked on a mission to empower change for a brighter future.

This will help Launer reduce our carbon emissions with a transition to a net zero organisation. We can make the right and informed decisions and one which our customers will embrace.

We are setting our science-based targets (SBT’s) during this year’s accreditation period in line with meeting our total carbon reduction goal this year. SBT’s are targets adopted by companies to reduce emissions. They are considered SBTs if they are in line with what the most recent scientific research has established as necessary to achieve objectives.

Resources and Waste Management

We are taking significant steps, working with Planet Mark by controlling our consumption of natural resources both internally and with suppliers: water, gas and electricity. We  monitor the consumption of each one and dedicated to reduce all elements where possible.

We are also reducing our waste raw material products and making sure they are recycled, donated or reused. We also regularly check and update on the chemical legislations of products used during production and use only the most environmentally friendly alternatives.

Health and Safety

Launer has always placed paramount importance in the creation of a safe environment for our employees in all our business segments. We continuously work to improve our management of health and safety information.

Training and supervision is implemented to enable employees to avoid hazards and to positively promote the health and safety of everyone while at work.

Relevant employees are trained in first aid and fire evacuation procedures, with all safety equipment tested and maintained on a regular basis.

Biodiversity and Community

Launer is committed in our pursuit of diagnosing our impacts on biodiversity across our entire supply chain and further define our goals based on our SBT’S.

Our mission within our own Launer community is the continuation and retention of staff at all levels providing an environment for them to prosper, develop and excel. Launer colleagues are encouraged and presented with opportunities on a monthly basis as part of their ongoing mentor and development programme.

At Launer, the community at large in the local area is important and how we may best provide support. For some time, we have provided insight and materials to local community groups to enhance and further their craft and in some cases, introduce them to the tradition of leathercraft.

Alongside this, is a longstanding relationship with The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) that transforms the careers of aspiring crafts people by funding their training and education, creating pathways to excellence and strengthening the future of the UK’s craft sector. This charity is close to Launer’s own core values and the overall preservation of all British craft. Items such as the QEST Limited Edition Handbag have been made in partnership with the charity where a proportion of the proceeds are donated to QEST.

Launer is committed to furthering relationships with local charities and community groups in order to extend the knowledge of learning and craft in the UK.