our story
As the owner of a growing shoe company in Denmark, Karl Toosbuy became frustrated by the speed, accuracy and reliability offered by external leather producers. He decided that he could do better.
In 1985, he opened a small tannery in Portgual and started producing leather to his own high standards. Looking for that tacit leather 'know how' that is handed – not written – down through generations of craft, he recruited from a pool of the finest tannery families around Europe.
As his shoe company expanded, so did his leather needs. And so, he appointed a talented young leather technician, Panos Mytaros, to grow the leather business and preserve the artisan craft and 'know how' his company had built up. From a leather family himself and with unrivalled passion for the product and a keen interest in technology.
Panos realised the need to bring leather making into the modern age.This meant combining the best of European leather making skills and the addition of new technology with the introduction of Asian locations and increased production capability. All the while being careful to preserve the naturalness, simplicity and beauty of the final product.
