Unique Goatskin Handbag From TRG Leather

By Kamaliza Kamaruddin MARANG (Terengganu, Malaysia), April 30 (Bernama) -- Are you a fan of leather goods but, due to religious restrictions, apprehensive about accidentally buying those made from pigskin? Today TRG Leather Sdn Bhd offers an alternative — leather goods made locally from goatskin. The leather used in their manufacture has even been certified “halal” by the Terengganu Department of Islamic Affairs. The manufacture of brilliantly designed products — such as leather handbags with “songket” weaving — has catapulted the company from the local market into the international one, the company’s director, Zaitul Affiza Zainudin informed Bernama when interviewed here recently at the handbag-making factory owned by her family in Serating. The company, which was established in 2008, has become the only local company to manufacture leather goods on a large scale in Malaysia. MANY PRODUCTS Zaitul Affiza (left) is aware that the locals have a poor perception of locally made products, and she therefore strives to keep up with international manufacturers. She knows the company must remain abreast of the latest trends, maintain the quality of its products and broaden its marketing strategies to survive. With the latest design innovations, Zaitul Affiza is confident that the company sales will increase by 20 per cent — that is, by RM96,000 (US$31,665.17) — by the end of the year. Throughout last year the company, which manufactures jackets, belts, hats, shoes, wallets and sling bags made from goatskin, achieved average monthly sales of RM40,000 (US$13,179.87) — or RM480,000 (US$158,176.42) per year, she remarked. She added that the company would not rest on its laurels by producing stereotypical leather designs but instead strive to create products with a more creative edge. "One of such designs is the leather handbag with songket weaving, a collaboration between TRG Leather and Habibah Songket. "A handbag made from goatskin may sound peculiar, but I’m optimistic that it will one day become a fashion trend amongst women out there," commented Zaitul Affiza. The design was so impressive that even the Sultanah of Terengganu, Sultanah Nur Zahirah, complimented it when she visited the TRG Leather exhibition room recently. Admittedly, goatskin handbags are probably also being produced elsewhere in Malaysia, but none on such a large scale as at TRG Leather. RAW MATERIALS According to Zaitul Affiza, her company obtains its supply of goatskin from Cosmopal Sdn Bhd, which slaughters an average of four goats every day. TRG Leather is a subsidiary of Cosmopal. Cosmopal Sdn Bhd director Zainudin Zakaria (right) is also Zaitul Affiza's father. Cosmopal runs a 32-hectare commercial goat-breeding farm in Serating; it is the largest of such farms on the East Coast. “We also have 7 skilled and 14 semi-skilled workers who are committed to ensuring that the handbags are stitched neatly and with finesse. “In fulfilling our social responsibility, we only hire locals, including disabled persons from the district,” Zaitul Affiza affirmed. LOCAL AND OVERSEAS BRANCHES Zaitul Affiza said TRG Leather had found goatskin to be commercially viable and planned to open several new branches, locally as well as overseas, this year. “We plan to open two new outlets in Shah Alam, Selangor and in Chendering, Kuala Terengganu. This will allow our customer base to widen,” she remarked. To date, 30 per cent of the company sales are from overseas markets including the United Arab Emirates, Australia, China and Europe. These purchases are made online. Most of the local purchases are also made online. Due to the encouraging response from overseas, TRG Leather is also opening an outlet in Scotland and plans to set up several more outlets in other international locations. COPYRIGHT Zaitul Affiza said that she would ensure that the company’s exclusive rights to its designs are protected to prevent the designs from being copied and reproduced by rogue parties. “When all matters regarding the protection of intellectual property have been settled, we will host a special launching for our goatskin handbag with songket weaving. “My dream is for the brand to become an iconic product of Terengganu and Malaysia,” she added. TRG Leather is working in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Malaysia Trade and Development Corporation, the Terengganu Entrepreneur Development Foundation and the Malaysian Craft Development Corporation. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA