Douglas Alexander MP

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South

W.J. & Langs - Paisley Leather Company

Local MP Douglas Alexander visits W.J. & W. Lang.

Douglas Alexander MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South is photographed paying a visit to local company W.J. & W. Lang, part of the Scottish Leather Group. The company, which has been in Paisley since 1872, employs 60 people and has increased turnover substantially in the last few years.

Hugh Gilmour managing director said, “We are delighted that Douglas was able to take time out of his busy schedule to see the operation and discuss our plans for the future. As a major employer we are committed to Paisley, many of our workforce are second and in some cases third generation of the same family to work here.  With our emphasis on training, innovation and investment we are thriving where many of the traditional local industries have disappeared. We recently invested £500,000 in new equipment and are further investing in continuous improvements to our environmental performance.”

The company supplies hides to Group companies Bridge of Weir Leather Company and Andrew Muirhead and Son which are then processed and finished for onward supply to the automotive, aviation and contract furnishing industries. The companies supply most of the world’s major airlines and car manufacturers such as Volvo, Aston Martin and Ford.

Douglas Alexander said,”It was good to have the chance to visit the Lang’s Leather plant; the Paisley based company that has been in the town for more than 100 years. It was a chance to see the facility, and meet the workforce who mainly come from Paisley and surrounding area. It was also encouraging to hear of Lang’s continued success and hear about their plans to maintain this achievement in these times of economic challenges.”