Caroline Krug and the Pechdo tanneries: “A human adventure above all”

Originaire de la région champenoise, Caroline Krug s’est découvert une passion, et un métier. Pauline Chaliez

Caroline Krug est directrice des tanneries Pechdo depuis 10 ans. La seule tannerie en Europe qui produit des cuirs techniques.

From Champagne, a historical and cultural region in the north-east of France, where she comes from, Caroline Krug draws her passion for know-how. "Each region has its own, its industries. I have worked alongside a few of them, in different fields, with the common thread being the customer's demands and the know-how of men and women who transform natural things. This encounter between the product and the customer is quite fascinating".
She first worked in Champagne where her family has a vineyard before joining the LVMH group at Louis Vuitton for 20 years.

"I worked on different markets in different countries and then I wanted to start a business. I am a very thoughtful person. I asked myself: What do I want?? What am I capable of?? What budget do I have?? At the center of my reflection, it was know-how, people and the fact of producing something. Among the projects that I studied, I chose Pechdo, a lovely SME with unique know-how. The only tannery in Europe that produces technical leathers, says the director of the Pechdo tanneries for 10 years now.

Machine washable leather

"I really like the region, I went to meet it, to meet this profession, the industry, I wanted to integrate into a culture. It’s a driving force, it’s good to learn. The company is at the heart of a cycle, from lamb to gloves, milk, Roquefort, leather… It’is important to realize the richness of this cycle, it is precious, we must pay attention to each link in the chain", explains the entrepreneur.< /p>

Well anchored in their territory, the Pechdo tanneries export 60% of their production: Technical leathers for firefighters, police, electricians, gardening, etc. . resistant to polar cold, abrasion, waterproof or tactile, etc. The company even invented machine-washable leather, something no one had yet managed to develop.

"That’s also why I took over this company", confides Caroline Krug who likes at "identify customer expectations, attempt the feat through innovation". She does not forget to specify that her work is above all to perpetuate the Tanneries Pechdo in a particularly complicated period for around 18 months.

"Inflation is a real issue, as is the cost of French leather. I am surrounded by motivated people who make up a great team"she specifies. If their first client is French, Canada, Germany, Austria, Spain and the United States follow closely. Caroline Krug and her colleagues participate in trade shows all over the world. From the discussions started there, new products are born. The business manager also lived abroad for more than 10 years: Germany, England, Switzerland, Austria, United States. She concludes: "Having moved around quite a bit, I know how to appreciate the quality of life I have here.

“Avoid routine and not tire the body too much”

The Pechdo tanneries team numbers 35 people. "Locals, people who had left the region who are returning there, people from elsewhere, around ten nationalities. There is no training in our professions so we train internally, we recruit people who like the subject, who want to learn, to transform it and who like to work in a team. We promote versatility, among other things to avoid routine and not tire the body too much", explains Caroline Krug.

"I took over a company that has existed since 1900, which was going well and which I wanted to support. Continuity is good. I listen to all employees in the same way, it's a human adventure above all, Pechdo. In his private sphere, moments with his friends are a pleasure. rsquo;elsewhere important like his weekly Pilates session. She particularly enjoys enjoying the little joys of the surrounding nature, "all that the region has to offer us".