Nina Conrad, founder and project manager
Nina studied Political Science, Islamic Studies and International Law at the Universities of Zurich and Barcelona. After several years in business development for start-ups and in the social sector, she focused on building regional, regenerative supply chains for sustainable leather.
Today, she produces leather for small and large companies, supports various projects in the clothing, accessories and footwear industry as a sustainability consultant, product manager and project manager and teaches at several universities. She is also a founding member of the Sustainable Leather Foundation and a consultant for an international trade fair. As co-founder and president of Fibershed DACH, a non-profit organization based in Bern, she actively campaigns for change in the textile industry.
G. Neuenschwander Söhne AG
For generations, the trade in raw hides and skins was the cornerstone of G. Neuenschwander Söhne AG (GNS). However, over time, demand has significantly declined due to the rise of synthetic alternatives, shifting consumer preferences, and intense price competition from international markets, which have greatly diminished the role of natural skins.
For this reason, Bernhard and Marc Neuenschwander, the fifth generation to lead the family business, have ventured into new territory. Rather than merely storing or discarding unused skins, they are dedicated to processing this valuable local resource. Today, their efforts center on producing high-quality leather and fur products, alongside other business ventures.
In the Emmental, Swiss sheepskins are primarily collected and tanned, while regionally sourced goat and cow hides are processed in collaboration with specialized tanneries in neighboring countries. This approach upholds the value of these natural materials, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic substitutes.