Auburn Leathercrafters Receives International Award
Since 1950, the Dungey family has owned and operated Auburn Leathercrafters in Auburn. For them, excellence in manufacturing is a tradition that has been passed down for many generations.
Auburn Leathercrafters is a manufacturer of quality dog products, including dog collars, leashes and harnesses and other custom goods including camera straps, policemen’s hat straps, cases, pouches and gaskets. They specialize in short to medium production runs. If it is cut, sewn, or riveted or if it is made of leather, vinyl, webbing, or other durable material, they are capable of working with it.
Auburn Leather was the 1st place winner of Pet Product News International 2011 Retailer’s Choice boutique items award for their Tuscany Collection of collars and leashes. The products are amazingly soft and durable, and are now available in pink! All ten great contemporary colors are lined in pebble grain leather to assure a soft and stable fit then completed with nickel-plated hardware and finished edges.
Company History
Husband and wife, Alan and Anita Dungey and brother-in-law Walter Dungey, owners of Auburn Leathercrafters, have been creating high quality leather dog accessories, much the same as the family has been doing for three generations. To them, making and selling dog collars and leashes is not just a career, it’s a lifestyle. From a young age, at one time or another, all eight of Gordon and Barbara Dungey’s children have spent time working for the family business. At one point, 5 of the 6 sons were traveling throughout the Northeast selling the company’s wares. That has been the way it has been for much of the company’s over 60 year history.
In the summer of 1950, Alan and Walter’s grandfather, Everett V. Dungey, purchased the equipment necessary to cut, sew, and rivet leather into dog collars. World War II had just ended and people were still cautious about starting new businesses. Mr. Dungey, not being one to walk away from a challenge, saw an opportunity. Still the same today, people considered their pets as members of the family, and knew that a dog would always need a collar. He promptly sold his family camp, bought the machinery, and set up shop at 98 North Street, above what was then Hubbard Press. Auburn Leathercrafters was born. Today, Auburn Leathercrafters endures as a dynamic part of the $47 billion pet industry.
Yet, the Dungey family has seen its share of ups and downs. Much of their history was spent working in tandem with Agway. With Agway’s decline, they needed to find a new direction. It was then that the brothers regrouped and diversified, making their own line of replacement steamer trunk handles, restoration parts for antique cars, components of top quality professional camera bags, and private labeling for other companies.
These days, the business has returned to its roots in the pet industry and is honored to employ each of its 8 full time and 5 part time employees, The Company still makes trunk straps and parts for professional camera bags, but the lion’s share of their business is with the pet market. A few years ago, they introduced their line of pink and baby blue dog collars and leashes and their genuine Swarovski-studded collars and leashes, now staples in pet boutiques and independent pet shops across the United States, Canada, and abroad. Their products are available locally at Aristocats and Dogs in Skaneateles, at various locations around Syracuse and Ithaca and on-line at www.CollarsandMore.com.
“We have never taken quality materials, workmanship and service for granted,” says Anita. In this world of cheaper and cheaper, the Dungey’s have not abandoned the idea that you get what you pay for. They have taken their father’s and grandfather’s mantra seriously, “If you buy the best you can afford, you will not be disappointed,” and that, “It is better to explain why your product costs more than to explain why your product has failed.”
Auburn Leathercrafters also works hard to promote “Made in USA,” as well. Many lessons are learned in a company with a 60+ year history. Persistence; diligence; hard work and patience; but most of all, you must love what you do.
Auburn Leathercrafters: “Large to small, we collar them all!” For more information please contact 800-282-8761, or visit: http://www.auburndirect.com/ for wholesale inquiries or http://www.collarsandmore.com/ if you would like to make a retail purchase.
