RAM LEATHER COMPANY
Leather Science Through Education
RAM LEATHER COMPANY
Leather Science Through Education
Sirois and Ram Leather Companies - 102 Years of Leather
Sirois Leather Inc. (Pic. of Joseph 1928)
In the year 1923 Joseph L. Sirois Sr., (1907/1997) at the age of 16, began his lifelong career in the leather industry as an employee at the Nathan H. Poor leather factory in Peabody Massachusetts, making sheepskin leather for the shoe industry. An accomplished amateur boxer, he pursued a career in leather,
rather than turning professional, to support his growing family of seven children. Having an interest in the changing science of tanning, he developed a unique process specific to making leather for shoe linings for the vibrant shoe industry of the time. On October 1, 1940, he joined Mr. Louis Gleason to form Gleason Leather Company. For the next 23 years they combined their sales, and manufacturing talents supplying finished leather to the finest shoe and garment houses in the United States. When his partner passed away in 1963, Joseph bought the very same tannery building that he started in 40 years earlier, and
founded Sirois Leather, Inc. His sons, Henry and Richard joined the company in the 1960's, working with their father in sales, and new product development respectively. Josephs' brothers, Eli and Woodrow were major contributors to the success of the business, keeping the machinery, and operations running smoothly in the 2 US based factories.
Eli built two tanneries for the family business, one in Napier, New Zealand, and the other in Rockland Maine. Elis' commitment, and engineering expertise, addressed the growing environmental issues of the industry.
Federal and State regulations were met or exceeded, the guidelines required.
Joseph retired in 1982; he enjoyed staying involved with the industry until his passing in 1997.
Sirois Leather, Inc. moved its headquarters from Peabody to Newburyport, MA in 1980 and continued to supply leather worldwide until closing in 1989.
Ram Leather Company 1985 - Present
Prior to its closing in 1989, Richard (Dick) Sirois, left Sirois Leather, Inc. in
1985 as leather tanneries faced environmental challenges. This led to a different choice of direction, between Dick, and his brother Henry, to meet those challenges. Dick founded Ram Leather Company in June of 1985. Dick, is a 1971 graduate of National Leathersellers College, London, UK www.leathersellers.co.uk
Ram Leather Company has supplied top quality finished leathers to garment, footwear, and accessory manufacturers in the US and Europe for 40 years.
Dick is a Life Member of the Two/Ten Foundation www.twoten.org and a former joint member of the American Leather Chemists Association
www.leatherchemists.org and Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists UK.(SLTC). He is a past President of the New England Tanners Club.
Dick serves on the Advisory Committee to the City of Peabody, MA
Leatherworkers Museum www.peabodymuseums.com
Sirois Leather Company 2017 - Present
Dick's son Rich Sirois, brought back Sirois Leather Company in 2017, as a leather products manufacturer, continuing a family tradition of innovation and quality begun by his grandfather Joseph.
