COTANCE News 2/2026 – March 2026
Women in Tanneries:
Special Women’s 3rd Edition
March is our moment to celebrate women — their talent, ambition and the impact they make every day. After the success of our 2024 and 2025 editions, spotlighting women in the leather industry has become a proud COTANCE tradition.
This year, we take you closer to the reality of the sector through the story of inspiring professionals from Sweden & Italy. Through their daily experience, they reveal what working in leather truly looks like: dynamic, demanding, creative and deeply rewarding. From the factory floor to leadership, their journey shows how the industry offers space to grow, lead and balance professional and personal life.
Their stories are a powerful reminder that the leather sector is continuously evolving — and opening new opportunities for those ready to shape its future.
Meet our Stars
“ My name is Ulrika Andersson, and I am the CEO of Tärnsjö Tannery. I am married and the mother of a 16-year-old daughter. As I approach my third year at Tärnsjö, I continue to feel the same sense of purpose I felt the first time I stepped into the tannery, a place where craftsmanship, tradition, and responsibility meet.“
“I am Barbara Boschetti, CEO of Conceria Laba, a company founded by my father. I am a mother of three and have worked in the company for about thirty years, a journey that has allowed me to grow professionally alongside the family business.“ |
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What does a typical work day look like for you – from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave?
UA: I start the day by walking around the factory and greeting all employees. Some days the tour takes 15 minutes, other days 40–45 minutes. It’s nice and important to chat with the employees. My days are filled with a mix of meetings, production challenges, strategic projects, staff matters, and customers visiting the factory.
BB: My day starts early: I drop my son off at school and arrive at the company around 8:00 AM. The first thing I do is walk through the various departments of the tannery; it is a fundamental moment to check in with the managers and get a feel for the production situation. Production is the heart of the company, and that is where I dedicate most of my time. During the day, I also handle reading reports to monitor progress and make informed decisions. On a weekly basis, I set aside time for meetings, both operational and strategic. I return home around 6:30 PM.
What is the part of the day you enjoy the most?
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How does your job allow you to balance professional life with personal interests, family or hobbies?
BB: It wasn’t easy, especially when my children were little. In those years, I relied on a lot of help and had to make choices, often putting my personal interests on the back burner. For a long time, I split my energy between work and family. Today, with older children, I can carve out more space for myself while continuing to dedicate myself to work with passion.
UA: My job is very demanding, but it allows me to maintain a balance between work, family, and hobbies. When I’m at the factory, I focus fully on work, which allows me to have more free time at home. While my role remains a central part of my life, I carve out time for my private life. Outside of work, my job inspires me to look out for beauty and nature; I have a deep appreciation for craftsmanship in all its forms. I like sports and skiing is my way of recharging in nature. My days often end with a walk alongside our dog Bowie.
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What motivates you to grow in this industry? What are your ambitions for the future?
UA: Our unique vegetable tanned leather that has a beautiful look and only gets more beauty with age. Our ambition is to grow the business and generate more resources through increased sales over the years for continued investments in the factory.
BB: What motivates me most is the possibility of operating in a sector where learning is a continuous progress. Leather, as a natural material, possesses unique and variable characteristics that make every production process stimulating and never repetitive. My ambition is to continue the company’s growth path, facing market evolutions with a structured approach oriented towards quality, innovation, and sustainability. In this context, I believe it is fundamental to help reaffirm the value of leather as a natural, noble, and durable material, distinguished by high resistance, longevity, and uniqueness. It is a material that, if correctly processed and used, maintains and increases its characteristics over time, serving as a concrete alternative to unsustainable consumption models. The goal is to promote greater awareness, both in the market and among final consumers, regarding the intrinsic value of leather and its role within a responsible supply chain.
Why is this an exciting time for women to join the leather industry?
BB: Today is a particularly interesting time because the sector is changing and there is increasing attention to innovation, sustainability, and managerial skills. Women can bring an important contribution in terms of sensitivity, organization, and vision. More and more companies are valuing female talent, including in leadership roles. It is a sector that offers concrete opportunities for growth and where women can truly make a difference.
UA: It’s one of the world’s oldest industries, traditionally dominated by men working in the tannery. The work is physically demanding and requires both strength and endurance. Today, we have three women on the tannery floor, and they genuinely enjoy the physical aspect of the job. A powerful shift is underway, a widening of space where women’s strength, leadership, and perspectives are not only welcome but essential. The industry is evolving, and women are actively shaping that evolution in real time.
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Ulrika’s and Barbara’s stories reflect a broader transformation taking place across the leather industry.
Today, women are not only part of the sector — they are leading it, shaping it and redefining it. Their perspectives, skills, and leadership are essential to building a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking industry.
At COTANCE, we believe that showcasing these real experiences is key to inspiring the next generation. The leather industry offers meaningful careers, combining tradition, innovation and purpose — and it is ready to welcome more talent.
The future of leather is not only sustainable and innovative —
It is also human, diverse and full of opportunity.
This post is also available in: Swedish
