ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. — Pangea, a global supplier of premium automotive leather, has donated 600 leather hides to Pingree Detroit, a maker of premium leather goods created from high-quality leather reclaimed from the Detroit auto industry. The largest single donation received by the organization this year, the materials will not only fuel the production of more than 3,500 leather goods, but will also generate employment opportunities for local U.S. military veterans.
“Pingree Detroit is doing truly meaningful work. By creating employment opportunities that lead to shared ownership, they are directly impacting our community and economy,” said Bob Tuuk, Vice President of Global Purchasing at Pangea. “Their mission of reimagining waste and giving discarded materials new life closely aligns with our commitment to reducing environmental impact and leading sustainable leather manufacturing. As a veteran myself, I am proud that we can play a role in all the good they are doing — and look forward to seeing the impact of all of the opportunities they create with this donation.”
Founded in 2015, Pingree Detroit handcrafts a variety of leather goods, including wallets, card holders, tote bags, coasters, sneakers and more, with upcycled and sustainable materials. Each product comes with a Maker Card featuring a quote from the Veteran or Detroiter who created it, connecting customers directly to the hands that made their goods.
“This donation of 600+ hides is more than material — it’s an investment in people. It means at least 3,500+ products handmade in Detroit, it means jobs for Veterans and Detroiters, and it means another step toward a future where what we make maximizes the well-being of the community around us,” said Jarret Schlaff, co-founder and CEO of Pingree Detroit. “We are grateful to have the support of Pangea.”
Waste reduction is a critical component of Pangea’s environmental strategy, as emphasized by this donation. Through its innovations and partnerships, the company integrates circularity into leather processing and implements comprehensive waste management practices across various streams. In 2024, its manufacturing sites diverted 68% (1,670 metric tons) of leather shavings from landfills to be repurposed into co-products by local industries in Mexico and Asia, along with exports to third-party processing facilities in Italy. For more information, visit pangeamade.com.
