Lee Lythgoe has joined SATRA’s globe-trotting SATRASumm team which teaches technologists in tanneries and shoe plants around the world how to grade leather for global footwear production.

Lee previously worked for several major footwear manufacturers in the UK where he specialised in cutting shoe components, including hand cutting.

He also worked in quality control, assessing the usability of upper leathers, and since joining SATRA has already carried out consultancy assignments in factories in China and Finland.

‘This is a new and exciting challenge’, says Lee, whose appointment strengthens the UK technology centre’s expertise in helping suppliers and users to grade materials consistently and reliably.

SATRASumm is a software package created and developed by the UK technology centre. Over 300 systems have been installed in more than 160 factories in over 35 countries — and is recognised as the definite industry standard system for reducing material costs through efficient cutting.