The beauty of leather

There was a time when only luxury cars had leather seats. All others, especially those made by local manufacturers, could, at best, only have leather seat covers.

But gone are those days.

Now, even AUVs are being sold with leather seats in them and, thanks to stiff competition, almost all car models at present have an option for leather interior.

Unknown to many, one local company is fast emerging as the main source of car seats for various car manufacturers. Known as Kel Seat, this company was only formed six years ago but it now makes leather seats for almost all local car companies.

"We started as a maker of wire harnesses," said Stefan Leicht, a German who serves as Kel Seat’s general manager. "We began making wire harnesses for BMW in Malaysia but later switched to leather seats."

Taking its name from Kelantan, the Malaysian city where it started, Kel Seat entered the country through a break provided by Asian Carmakers (ACM), the company that makes BMW cars here. It was ACM that tapped Kel Seat to make leather seats for various BMW models according to standards set by the German auto giant. From there, Kel expanded its client base to include Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford and Isuzu.

Leicht said car manufacturers have found leather seats a sure way to add value to their products. "It really alters a buyer’s impression of a car. The scent and feel of leather really appeal to the senses," he said.

Kel Seat now employs more than 500 workers in its 4,000-square-meter factory in Talon, Las Piñas. It buys raw materials straight from Germany and uses high-tech equipment such as computer-controlled sewing machines and installers.

Lately, Kel Seat opened its doors to walk-in clients who wanted to have their fabric seats replaced with leather.

"The market is really growing and more and more people are realizing that leather is easier to maintain and is more durable than fabric," Leicht said. "You just need a damp cloth to clean leather. And it grows more beautiful as it ages."

Leicht noted that contrary to popular belief, leather seats are cooler, not hotter, than those made from fabric. He explained that cow hide has natural pores that allow heat to pass through.

"You may burn your buttocks when you seat on leather that has been exposed to the sun for hours. But you’ll discover that the seat cools down more quickly than fabric seats," he said.

Aside from leather seats, Kel Seat also makes leather-clad steering wheels, golf bags and even folders and wallets.

For more information, visit Kel Seat’s factory at 108 M. Alvarez Avenue, Talon I, Las Piñas or call 566-2302 to 03 or 800-0343. The company’s website, www.kel-seat.com, is under construction.