INTERVIEW
Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
Launer’s unbeatable poster girl
The Queen turns 90 this month and will no doubt be sporting a Launer handbag on her arm at public engagements. Launer’s owner, Gerald Bodmer, takes great pride in supplying Her Majesty’s signature accessory. Andrew Peters chatted to the ever youthful 80-year young entrepreneur.
Q Launer is now a worldwide brand, but originally (having trained as a clarinettist to reach a concert level standard) you wanted to enjoy a career as a classical musician. Have you any regrets that this didn’t happen?
A No, not at all. I certainly wouldn’t be as well off as I am now that’s for sure. If I’d gone down the musical path I probably would have ended up teaching music to some children somewhere, so no.
Q Was it a conscious decision to change course or did it happen by chance?
A I realised that although very driven, I might not make the cut as a musician and so started work for my father’s cousin who had a leather goods company. I began in sales as I like to talk to people – you’ve probably realised already.
Q In what industry did you commence your working life?
A I’ve always been in the leather goods industry. Like all manufacturing, it’s undergone a huge transformation and I’m proud that we are one of only three companies still making leather goods in the UK.
Q When you bought the company in 1981 you retained Samuel Launer’s name. What was the reason you continued to uphold his ideal of constructing leather goods from the finest materials and using the finest craftsmanship?
A Well, first and foremost, the company had a Royal Warrant and I wanted to keep that as the Warrant embodied all those qualities. It was also a good name; Sam Launer was a Jewish immigrant from Czechoslovakia, an entrepreneur, and I like entrepreneurs. I’m one myself and I suppose sub-consciously I kept the name as a homage to him. I’d be lying though if I said the main reason was any other than the Royal Warrant. They have to be renewed every five years, so they’re not handed out to everyone you know!
Q In 1981 Britain was in the midst of a deep recession. You took the decision to concentrate on producing quality goods whilst others went in the opposite direction. Do you feel vindicated by this decision?
A Absolutely. I could see the potential in the company, and the way manufacturing was moving overseas due to labour costs, so to concentrate on craftsmanship and quality was the natural thing to do and it made business sense. I was running another company when I bought Launer and merged the two.
Q The Walsall factory, where the goods are made, is a listed building and the whole company exudes heritage. Is that something you instill in your employees?
A Yes, it’s an amazing building that I own. I’m proud of the whole set up and the fact it’s based in Walsall which is historically where leather goods were made. Yes, I’m proud to keep this British tradition.
Q Refreshingly many of your employees have been with the company a long time. Why do you think this is?
A I have some amazing and loyal people who have worked with me for many years. I’d like to think I’m a good employer and offer an enjoyable environment in which to work. The important thing is we operate a total quality control system which means people can say what they think, offer ideas and change things to improve. That encourages involvement, a sense of achievement and team spirit.
Q Is it hard to attract new blood into the company to train to carry on the exacting skills required to make the company’s products?
A Yes it is. We have three apprentices at the moment, but it’s hard to attract youngsters. Without getting too political, there is a benefit culture that people can fall into and it seems to cut the incentive to work.
A No, not at all. I certainly wouldn’t be as well off as I am now that’s for sure. If I’d gone down the musical path I probably would have ended up teaching music to some children somewhere, so no.
Q Was it a conscious decision to change course or did it happen by chance?
A I realised that although very driven, I might not make the cut as a musician and so started work for my father’s cousin who had a leather goods company. I began in sales as I like to talk to people – you’ve probably realised already.
Q In what industry did you commence your working life?
A I’ve always been in the leather goods industry. Like all manufacturing, it’s undergone a huge transformation and I’m proud that we are one of only three companies still making leather goods in the UK.
Q When you bought the company in 1981 you retained Samuel Launer’s name. What was the reason you continued to uphold his ideal of constructing leather goods from the finest materials and using the finest craftsmanship?
A Well, first and foremost, the company had a Royal Warrant and I wanted to keep that as the Warrant embodied all those qualities. It was also a good name; Sam Launer was a Jewish immigrant from Czechoslovakia, an entrepreneur, and I like entrepreneurs. I’m one myself and I suppose sub-consciously I kept the name as a homage to him. I’d be lying though if I said the main reason was any other than the Royal Warrant. They have to be renewed every five years, so they’re not handed out to everyone you know!
Q In 1981 Britain was in the midst of a deep recession. You took the decision to concentrate on producing quality goods whilst others went in the opposite direction. Do you feel vindicated by this decision?
A Absolutely. I could see the potential in the company, and the way manufacturing was moving overseas due to labour costs, so to concentrate on craftsmanship and quality was the natural thing to do and it made business sense. I was running another company when I bought Launer and merged the two.
Q The Walsall factory, where the goods are made, is a listed building and the whole company exudes heritage. Is that something you instill in your employees?
A Yes, it’s an amazing building that I own. I’m proud of the whole set up and the fact it’s based in Walsall which is historically where leather goods were made. Yes, I’m proud to keep this British tradition.
Q Refreshingly many of your employees have been with the company a long time. Why do you think this is?
A I have some amazing and loyal people who have worked with me for many years. I’d like to think I’m a good employer and offer an enjoyable environment in which to work. The important thing is we operate a total quality control system which means people can say what they think, offer ideas and change things to improve. That encourages involvement, a sense of achievement and team spirit.
Q Is it hard to attract new blood into the company to train to carry on the exacting skills required to make the company’s products?
A Yes it is. We have three apprentices at the moment, but it’s hard to attract youngsters. Without getting too political, there is a benefit culture that people can fall into and it seems to cut the incentive to work.
The Launer story
Launer London epitomises the best of British craftsmanship. This, combined with a reputation for meticulous quality and style, has seen Launer awarded the Royal Warrant to Her Majesty The Queen for handbags and small leather goods.Launer was established around 1941 with a defined mission: to make elegant handbags and leather goods from the very best materials, superbly finished and handmade by the highest skilled craftspeople. Launer pioneered British made goods when others opted to manufacture abroad and has remained true to this pledge more than 70 years later. Each item is handmade using traditional methods in a Grade II listed building, the premises have been a home for the manufacturing of leather goods since its construction in 1904.
Since Gerald Bodmer took over the firm, Launer has built an enviable reputation with royalty, heads of state and society ladies. Distinguished figures and political leaders have carried Launer bags including The Duchess of Cornwall, the late Baroness Thatcher and Japan’s Crown Princess Masako, alongside national treasures such as Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.
Photo copyright: Featureflash | Dreamstime.com
Q Are all the ranges and styles individually made for each customer?
A No, we will add small changes to the styles (a different handle for example) but we don’t custom make the bags from scratch.
Q Sue, your wife, and yourself have had, and continue to have, a hand in the design of the ranges. You both obviously enjoy this having done so for a long time. Why did you initially take on this responsibility?
A Well, women are good at fashion design aren’t they and it seemed a natural fit. Sue gets a lot of enjoyment out of it and does a very good job with some help from me of course!
Q Where does inspiration for the designs come from?
A We travel to Italy and France each year, wander around, look, listen, soak up the atmosphere and the ideas come. Italy is the centre of fashion design, design as a whole is in the blood, and it can’t help but rub off on you if you’re there.
Q What inspires the names for particular styles?
A They used to be numbered, but now from opera almost exclusively. Kobbe’s Opera Book is very useful – I’m still finding new ones.
Q You source all the leather used from Italy. With your musical background, do you have a special association with the country?
A The leather and fittings come from Italy and it’s a wonderful country. I wouldn’t say there is a special association other than in my business it’s the place to go. Paris is the other destination: we make a lot of bags out of lizard and this all comes from France.
A No, we will add small changes to the styles (a different handle for example) but we don’t custom make the bags from scratch.
Q Sue, your wife, and yourself have had, and continue to have, a hand in the design of the ranges. You both obviously enjoy this having done so for a long time. Why did you initially take on this responsibility?
A Well, women are good at fashion design aren’t they and it seemed a natural fit. Sue gets a lot of enjoyment out of it and does a very good job with some help from me of course!
Q Where does inspiration for the designs come from?
A We travel to Italy and France each year, wander around, look, listen, soak up the atmosphere and the ideas come. Italy is the centre of fashion design, design as a whole is in the blood, and it can’t help but rub off on you if you’re there.
Q What inspires the names for particular styles?
A They used to be numbered, but now from opera almost exclusively. Kobbe’s Opera Book is very useful – I’m still finding new ones.
Q You source all the leather used from Italy. With your musical background, do you have a special association with the country?
A The leather and fittings come from Italy and it’s a wonderful country. I wouldn’t say there is a special association other than in my business it’s the place to go. Paris is the other destination: we make a lot of bags out of lizard and this all comes from France.
Q The company refurbishes vintage handbags and I believe the Queen uses this service. Will you continue to offer this service in an increasingly throw away society?
A Yes, we do refurbish Launer handbags and will continue to do so. We also correct any defects found by a client after purchase.
Q Do you still play the clarinet? Is your favourite piece Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto or is this too populist?
A Yes, I do. I play in some local concerts and enjoy doing so. Yes, this is a favourite piece of mine, but Brahms, Mozart and Weber all wrote some marvellous music for the instrument.
Q The Queen’s continuing 50 year, and other members of the Royal Family’s, patronage is obviously hugely beneficial. That apart, can you place a finger on why the company and your handbags have been such a success?
A The designs are classic, stylish, traditional and British. Yes, we have some famous patrons, but underlying it all is the quality of the product – after all that has to be there to attract them in the first place doesn’t it? Having said that, yes, of course, who could ask for a better person to showcase our work?
Q You are still very involved with the company. Have you any plans to take things a little easier in the future?
A I still enjoy it all immensely. You have to keep going, don’t you, otherwise you’ll come to a stop. My son will carry on with the business when I feel it’s time, but I can’t see that just yet. I suppose this echoes my most high profile client!
Q What would you wish your legacy to be?
A Simply quality, that’s something the company has maintained and developed over the years and that one word reflects our standards and has brought success. There’s no reason that it won’t continue to do so in the future.
A Yes, we do refurbish Launer handbags and will continue to do so. We also correct any defects found by a client after purchase.
Q Do you still play the clarinet? Is your favourite piece Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto or is this too populist?
A Yes, I do. I play in some local concerts and enjoy doing so. Yes, this is a favourite piece of mine, but Brahms, Mozart and Weber all wrote some marvellous music for the instrument.
Q The Queen’s continuing 50 year, and other members of the Royal Family’s, patronage is obviously hugely beneficial. That apart, can you place a finger on why the company and your handbags have been such a success?
A The designs are classic, stylish, traditional and British. Yes, we have some famous patrons, but underlying it all is the quality of the product – after all that has to be there to attract them in the first place doesn’t it? Having said that, yes, of course, who could ask for a better person to showcase our work?
Q You are still very involved with the company. Have you any plans to take things a little easier in the future?
A I still enjoy it all immensely. You have to keep going, don’t you, otherwise you’ll come to a stop. My son will carry on with the business when I feel it’s time, but I can’t see that just yet. I suppose this echoes my most high profile client!
Q What would you wish your legacy to be?
A Simply quality, that’s something the company has maintained and developed over the years and that one word reflects our standards and has brought success. There’s no reason that it won’t continue to do so in the future.