Our Story
Celebrating 50 Years
1973
Harry A. Weaver founded the Fryburg Shoe Shop, focusing primarily on shoe repair and operating the small business out of a 20 x 40 foot garage.
1974
Harry changed the fledgling company's name to Weaver Leather Goods after making a shift toward manufacturing leather goods.
1981
Paul H. Weaver was appointed president of Weaver Leather Goods.
1982
The first catalog was printed - a black and white 10 page catalog featuring horse halters, cattle and pet supplies and various hardware pieces.
1983
Weaver Distributing Co. was founded to distribute a variety of leather and hardware.
1984
First annual Weaver Consignment Auction.
Weaver Leather Goods and Weaver Distributing Co. merged to form one company, Weaver Leather, Inc.
Harry Weaver passed away, leaving the company in Paul's hands. During this transitional time, Paul had a pivotal conversation with God, asking for help in guiding the company to success and making a commitment to always tithe on the company's income.
1990
Introduced first Supply Catalog featuring 36 pages of leather, hardware, tools and supplies.
1998
Acquired Morgan's, a manufacturer and distributor of western saddlery items.
Launched Weaver West line of luggage and bags.
2001
Acquired Mast Harness Hardware, a distributor of leather, hardware, dyes, finishes, harness parts and machine parts.
2007
Acquired Bells & Sleigh Bells, the makers of harness bells, door hangers and gift items.
2008
In 2008 Weaver Leather Supply released the first three Master Tools machines made in- house. Mighty Wonder 4 ton clicker, Nylon Hot Cutter and the Hand Operated Strap Cutter.
2010
In 2010 Weaver Leather Supply introduced the patented Master Tools Little Wonder®.
2016
To meet the demand for our ever- increasing line of Weaver-built machinery we constructed a 21,000 square foot fabrication facility.
2017
Paul Weaver passed leadership of the company on to the next generation and Jason Weaver was named CEO and president of Weaver Leather. Paul continued to serve as chairman of the board.
2018
From our humble beginnings to becoming an industry leader, we never lose sight of exceeding customer expectations.
2019
A 45,000 square foot addition was built, bringing our facility to just over 308,000 square feet.
2020
Paul Weaver retires with 40 years of service to the company and leaving a legacy that will forever influence Weaver Leather and thousands of people's lives that he came into contact with along the way. Weaver Leather has had 1,750 employees at the company from 1973-2020.
2022
The company's flagship retail store opens at its headquarters in Mt. Hope, Ohio, offering a carefully curated selection of leathercrafting supplies perfect for fueling the creative spirit of both beginner and experienced artisans alike.
2023
With the acquisition of Ohio Travel Bag (OTB), the company expands its selection of hardware to better serve makers of handbags, luggage and a wide range of leather crafts.
Weaver Leather LLC, trusted supplier of leatherworking supplies and manufacturer of leather goods is celebrating its 50th year in business. The company caters to a variety of crafters and makers, from beginners and hobbyists to larger production facilities, with an extensive selection of leather, hand tools, hardware, machinery, and other leatherworking supplies.
“We're blessed to reach such a significant milestone in our company's history,” shares Jason Weaver, Weaver Leather's president and CEO. “Weaver Leather was built on the idea that providing quality products, serving with excellence, and treating others as we would like to be treated is not only the right thing to do, but a good business practice as well.”
Thanking customers for 50 great years
Customers have been at the heart of Weaver Leather's business since its founding in 1973. “As we look back on 50 years of company history, gratitude to all our loyal customers is top of mind,” says Leah Keim, Weaver Leather's marketing manager. “We're excited to invite customers to celebrate with us with a variety of promotions and activities planned throughout 2023.”
To stay up-to-date on Weaver Leather's latest 50th anniversary-themed promotions, giveaways, merchandise and much more, be sure to regularly visit weaverleathersupply.com and connect on social media.
Honoring the past, Looking to the future
Originally founded by Harry A. Weaver as the Fryburg Shoe Shop, the business was placed on a strong foundation of excellent craftsmanship, product quality, and customer service right from the start. A focus on exceeding customer expectations and consistently evolving and innovating has transformed the one-man shoe shop into a world-class manufacturer and supplier serving a diverse customer base. In addition to the leatherworking industry, the company also serves the equine, livestock, pet, arborist, tool gear, and custom manufacturing markets.
Today, Weaver Leather's 330,000 square foot facility is just down the road from the company's original 20-by- 40-foot workshop, serving as a constant reminder to its 380 employees of the importance of hard work, always putting your customers first, and constantly innovating.”
In talking about the company's future, Weaver remarks, “As proud as we are of our past, we're even more excited for our future. By staying true to our founding principles while constantly innovating, we are poised to grow our influence in the markets we serve while continuing to impact our customers, employees and community in a positive way.”
Visit weaverleathersupply.com for a look at the company's extensive selection of leatherworking supplies. Be sure to also connect on social media for the latest news and 50th anniversary promotions and announcements.
