From
1792
To
Today
From tradition to innovation.
Colomer stays true to its roots.
Come and meet us!
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm
Beginnings
Colomer Munmany Foundation
1858
Chrome tanning
2006
Opening of the Baumann plant in Vic
2009
The Chinese group Henan Prosper acquired Colomer Munmany
2019
Opening of the new Colomer 1792 facilities
2021
Colomer, member of the Leather Cluster Barcelona
1900
The introduction of chemistry at Colomer Munmany
1913
Second generation
1936
Business training
1959
International expansion
1960
Colomer Munmany SA, world leaders in fine leather
1975
Andreu Colomer held leading positions in international organisations
1990
Creu de Sant Jordi
News
Foundation of the Museum of Leather Artistry
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Beginnings
1858
1900
1913
1936
1959
1960
1975
1990
1996
2006
2009
2019
News
Colomer Munmany Foundation
1792
josep colomer i costa
Our story begins with Josep Colomer i Costa, who was born in Vic in 1884 and whose life was an unrivalled example of entrepreneurial spirit and initiative. He married Carme Munmany, whose family had acquired great experience in the leather industry, the existence of which in Vic dates back to 1792. Josep Colomer was a blacksmith, but a year after his marriage he inherited the Munmany family tannery and started working in the industry, thus founding the Colomer Munmany Group.
Chrome tanning
1858
drums used in the beamhouse
Advances in chemical research in the 19th century were vital in the transformation of the leather industry, until then a craft industry, into an industrial sector. With the introduction of chrome salts in the leather production process in 1958, the basic tanning process was improved. This development marked a turning point for Colomer Munmany, as it transformed the art of tanning into a science.
The introduction of chemistry at Colomer Munmany
1900
colomer munmany workers standing outside the plant
In the early 20th century, Manuel Portavella became the first registered chemist to join the company as Colomer Munmany's technical director. He and his team began to develop their own technologies and farm processes, as well as specific methodologies such as sulphur tanning for dry pickling, white tanning for coating, and the use of sodium silicate to produce articles that were soft to the touch. This pioneering process was considered a visionary approach at the time, fuelling Colomer Munmany's international expansion and reputation as the producer of the best quality entrefino leather for garments and gloves.
Second generation
1913
Andreu Colomer Munmany
Andreu Colomer Munmany, born in Vic in 1913, was the third child of Josep Colomer and Carme Munmany. There were nine siblings altogether: four boys and five girls. Andreu Colomer, together with his brothers Ramon and Rafael, founded Colomer Munmany SA, the origin of the Colomer Group.
Business training
1936
andreu colomer with friends during his exile in belgium
In 1936 Andreu Colomer travelled to Brussels, where he honed his professional skills and trained as a businessman. Three years later he returned to Vic to continue with the family business, which he modernised and internationalised, focusing on exports and setting up plants in Greece, Iraq, Brazil and elsewhere.
International expansion
1959
Andreu Colomer on board the RMS Queen Mary during a business trip to New York
Andreu Colomer participated in a trade mission conducted by the Spanish government in Scandinavia. This was later followed by missions in countries such as Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, China, Persia and Poland, in addition to many others carried out by Catalan and Spanish businessmen.
Colomer Munmany SA, world leaders in fine leather
1960
reception of andreu colomer by representatives of the leather spain society in japan
Andreu Colomer became director of Colomer Munmany SA and embarked on a lengthy process of expansion during the 1960s, operating in numerous tanneries, as well as in companies active in the leather trade. During those years, Colomer Munmany also participated in and provided technical assistance to other internationally renowned tanneries in countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Greece, Lebanon, Pakistan, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and China.
At that time the group had around 1,000 workers in Catalonia alone, with a daily production of more than 50,000 skins. During this decade, the company consolidated its position as a world leader in the fine leather tanning sector, thanks both to its bold commercial policy and to improvements in labour productivity and advances in production quality brought about by innovation in production processes and technology.
At that time the group had around 1,000 workers in Catalonia alone, with a daily production of more than 50,000 skins. During this decade, the company consolidated its position as a world leader in the fine leather tanning sector, thanks both to its bold commercial policy and to improvements in labour productivity and advances in production quality brought about by innovation in production processes and technology.
Andreu Colomer held leading positions in international organisations
1975
andreu colomer i munmany visiting the plant in nigeria
In 1975, representing the company Colomer Munmany SA, Andreu Colomer was appointed member of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona and member of the National Council of Businessmen. Three years later, in 1978, he was appointed President of the International Council of Tanners based in London.
Creu de Sant Jordi
1990
andreu colomer munmany
In 1990 the Generalitat de Catalunya awarded Andreu Colomer the Creu de Sant Jordi in recognition of his long career.
Foundation of the Museum of Leather Artistry
1996
view of the outside of the museum of leather artistry in vic
In 1991 the commitment to transfer the assets of the Andreu Colomer collection to the Generalitat de Catalunya was formalised. Five years later, in 1996, this milestone led to the inauguration of the Museum of Leather Artistry, a project that pays homage to the life and work of its creator.
Opening of the Baumann plant in Vic
2006
view of the outside of can baumann in vic
Colomer Munmany opened the Baumann plant in Vic after a major investment in the modernisation and automation of the leather production process by consolidating all the finished article production lines in a single plant.
The Chinese group Henan Prosper acquired Colomer Munmany
2009
henan prosper facilities in china
The Chinese multinational Henan Prosper, world leaders in the sheepskin tanning and sheep wool production sector, bought the Colomer Munmany finishing plant. The aim of the merger was to set up two production centres, combining synergies to strengthen its global competitiveness.
Opening of the new Colomer 1792 facilities
2019
leather distribution warehouse located in the torruella industrial estate
Colomer 1792 opened a new leather warehouse for distribution throughout Europe. This was a 5,000m2 warehouse in the La Torruella industrial estate in Les Masies de Voltregà which sought to add value to the European market and increase the company's logistics capacity.
Colomer, member of the Leather Cluster Barcelona
2021
Leather Cluster Barcelona Est. 1079
On 30 November 2021, Colomer 1792 became a member of the Leather Cluster Barcelona. The Leather Cluster Barcelona—a private, not-for-profit association formed by all the companies that make up the value chain of the leather sector in Catalonia—aims to increase its members' competitiveness, improve their efficiency and promote the growth of the sector as a whole.
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Our excellence lies in our raw materials
We at Colomer have a wealth of experience in the sourcing and selection of our lambskins. For this area of activity, we have a team of purchasing professionals based all over the world who strictly monitor the sourcing of our raw materials.
With an annual purchase volume of more than 30 million skins, our warehouse capacity is sufficient to meet the demand for various types of skins from different parts of the world.
Our diversified range of high-quality raw materials enables us to offer production and service tailored to each customer.
Australia
Merino
New Zealand
Merino
Spain
Merino, Lechal, Merinillo
United Kingdom
Domestic
United States of America
Merino
South Africa
Merino
Ireland
Domestic
China
Inner Mongolia, Domestic
Italy
Toscana
select country to see
skin variety
Australia
New Zealand
Spain
United Kingdom
United States of America
South Africa
Ireland
China
Italy
A 360 degree production process
Strict traceability is a prerequisite for ensuring high standards. We at Colomer source high-quality raw materials from all over the world, comply with environmental laws and establish product traceability protocols, allowing us to develop and produce high-quality sustainable leathers for every consumer.
Process
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Committed to the
environment
We run on solar energy
Sustainability is an important part of the production process. We at Colomer 1792 prioritise efficiency in the production process by reducing waste, thus minimising our environmental impact.
Ecotan, ecological leather tanning processes
We at Colomer 1792 have adopted a new technology to eliminate chrome as a tanning agent. This process also uses natural biological tanning agents containing probiotics, which ensure environmentally-friendly finished products and minimise chemical waste.
sustainability in figures
-80%
Chrome powder
Chrome consumption was significantly reduced after the technology upgrade.
-59%
Energy consumption
The equipment was upgraded to an FRP 15T rotary/slotted drum, reducing energy consumption.
-70%
Waste water
The total amount of waste water containing chrome was considerably reduced.
-75%
Chrome in waste water
The concentration of chrome in waste water was reduced by 75%, relieving the burden of the treatment of chrome-containing waste water at treatment plants.
-68%
Water consumption
The number of times a single piece of leather is soaked was cut from five times to two times, considerably reducing water consumption.
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The future is green
Waste water treatment plant
We at Colomer 1792 have invested heavily in the construction of a modern, high-level waste water treatment plant with a surface area of 166,000m2 and a daily waste water treatment capacity of 40,000 tonnes.Solar photovoltaic technology and reduced CO2 emissions
Taking the same approach, we at Colomer 1792 have opted to install solar panels that allow us to harness and use solar energy in our facilities. Furthermore, our processes have been designed with the aim of minimising CO2 emissions.
Waste water treatment
Solar panels
Certified quality
Our requirement that each and every leather be processed under the industry's highest quality standards and with maximum traceability has led us to obtain the 'Gold Rated' classification by the Leather Working Group as well as the ICEC certificate, these being the highest certifications in the leather industry.
We at Colomer 1792 have our own laboratory, which allows us to carry out physical and chemical tests and guarantee that we meet the necessary requirements.
