De Zadelwerkplaats

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (own workshop)
• Belgium (leather sourcing)

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Products are handcrafted in the brand’s own workshop in Amsterdam. Bianca Koevoets is herself a full-time saddler and saddle fitter. As production takes place primarily in the own workshop, the supply chain is relatively simple and transparent.

MATERIALS

• Sheep wool
• Saddle leather
• Waxed hemp thread
• Car seatbelts
• Foam
• Felt

Are you already familiar with the environmental impact of leather?

PACKAGING

• When delivering new saddles, handover takes place directly on location at the stable, meaning no packaging is required. 
• When a saddle is sent in for repair, it is shipped in a sturdy cardboard box.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

The Belgian leather supplier applies responsible water management practices. The company complies with strict regional ICPE regulations and operates its own water treatment plant, ensuring that 100% of industrial wastewater is treated and monitored at the end of the production cycle.
In terms of chemical management, the leather supplier is certified according to ZDHC MRSL (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) version 3.1 under the Chem-MAP protocol. This means that no hazardous chemicals are released into wastewater, air or soil.
Furthermore, they hold the Gold certification of the Leather Working Group (LWG), confirming the highest technical and environmental standards in resource management and traceability.
According to the supplier, the leather is produced without finishing layers made from petroleum, rubber or plastic, significantly reducing the risk of microplastic release. Instead, only natural oils and fats are used, including beef tallow, fish oil and vegetable fats. For tanning, the company uses a 100% vegetable method based on various wood species such as quebracho, mimosa, chestnut and oak. The resulting waste can be fully biologically processed and is used as fertiliser on agricultural land. The finish is based on pure aniline, without synthetic top layers.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Bianca Koevoets is actively developing a dismountable saddle in which materials such as foam can be replaced by felt. Car seatbelt webbing is to be replaced by jute straps. The goal is a fully dismantlable and repairable saddle.

Many products consist exclusively of leather, which aligns with the principle of monomateriality and facilitates recycling at the end of the product’s life.

The brand works with waste leather from the split leather production of its supplier. This residual material is used for experiments and the development of new products.

De Zadelwerkplaats offers a lease service for saddles as well as its own repair service. Saddles, bridles and equipment are repaired in the brand’s own workshop.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

De Zadelwerkplaats offers its own repair service. Saddles, bridles and equipment are repaired in the brand’s own workshop.

De Zadelwerkplaats offers a lease service for saddles, girths and bridles.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Headquarters: Amsterdam West
• Leather supplier: Belgium

TRANSPORT

• Within the supply chain, from raw material to finished leather product, approximately five lorry transports are required according to the brand. 
• Saddles from the United Kingdom and leather from the supplier are shipped by post.

• Sheep wool
• Leather

According to the company, leather is sourced exclusively from bulls and cattle raised in Europe, primarily from France, Germany, Italy and Ireland. The company explicitly excludes young animals. Only by-products of the meat industry are processed. Hides are carefully selected based on quality and thickness.

PRODUCT DESIGN

De Zadelwerkplaats offers personalised saddles, girths, bridles and bit services for purchase and lease. In addition, repairs, restorations and bespoke items such as reins, halters and saddle pads are carried out. The offering is complemented by saddle fitting consultancy and an online course on saddle fit and horse welfare.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

De Zadelwerkplaats works according to demand and orders, offering bespoke items that are individually and handcrafted to order.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

De Zadelwerkplaats does not operate a conventional online shop with individual product pages. Instead, the website provides information about the brand’s range of services, including saddle fitting, repair, leasing and bespoke products. As every saddle is individually fitted and delivered directly to the customer on location, a personal and direct relationship exists between the brand and the buyer, representing its own form of transparency.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

De Zadelwerkplaats places emphasis on personal consultancy and direct customer contact. Products are individually adapted to the specific needs of horse and rider, encouraging long-term use and counteracting premature wear.