Pim Wilgenburg

Get to know your colleagues a little bit better. Our “3 questions for…” travels around the globe from one colleague to another. Every colleague will answer the same questions.

Tell us about your work environment. What does it look like? And what are your responsibilities at Royal Smit & Zoon?

Even though Smit is based in an industrial area I have the luxury of overlooking the Vecht river, green fields with trees and sheep. Very inspiring! In my role as Venture Manger Nera I am responsible to oversee the general development of Nera, the Royal Smit & Zoon company that launched the sustainable tanning agent Zeology back in October 2020. The success of Zeology is a direct result of a broad cooperation of many people within Royal Smit & Zoon.

Royal Smit & Zoon is driven by a purpose. To make the leather value chain environmentally & socially sustainable. What is your purpose? What gives you energy in your job?

Through Zeology we offer the leather industry the sustainable alternative to replace both chrome and GDA (glutardialdehyde) -tanning. Even though both have been carrying leather production for long change is unavoidable. Both traditional tanning agents are facing increased legislative pressure and are being replaced by tanneries/brands that pursue sustainable leather production. I take a lot of energy from the fact that our joint efforts are transforming the leather industry for the positive.

Pim Wilgenburg
Venture Manager Nera

At Royal Smit & Zoon, we love leather. What is your favorite leather item?

I could choose a leather belt I use daily, or the leather nappa seats in my car I choose the tiny leather shoes I wore at the age of one. The last are most certainly the most interesting as they resisted the decades of time very well. My parents already understood in the late 70’s how important a pair of good leather shoes is for the orthopedic development of children’s feet.

Who are you going to pass the baton to?

To my colleague Armando Escobedo.

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