‘You can’t bring in robots’: the leather firm handmaking everything from wallets to cigar cases
British leather maker Ettinger, based in Walsall, continues to produce premium items such as wallets, handbags and cigar cases entirely by hand, rejecting automation. The company emphasizes traditional craftsmanship and skilled artisans, arguing that robots cannot replicate the tactile quality required for luxury leather goods. The piece highlights the firm’s commitment to preserving high‑end British manufacturing.