Made in America company supplies leather for NFL footballs

CHICAGO -- The next time you watch your favorite football or basketball game, you're probably watching a piece of Chicago on the court or field.

Chicago's Horween Leather Company is a well-oiled machine. It has been a leading tannery for more than 100 years.

"So we buy cowhides and horsehides and we process them into leather specifically for customer orders," said Skip Horween, president of Horween Leather Company.

Those customers are a virtual "who's who" in American industry.

If it's made of leather, chances are it starts out here on Elston off the Kennedy - the tannery makes leather for shoemakers like Timberland, Wolverine, Frye, Alden and Allen Edmonds.

But most of it goes for sporting goods.

"We do leather for Wilson for the NFL and for Nike and Spaulding and for Rawlings," Horween said. "And then for Rawlings for their pro model baseball gloves. And relatively recently in our history we are doing the work with Spaulding for the NBA basketballs."

Skip's great-great-grandfather Isidore Horween started the company back in 1905 after emigrating to the U.S. from the Ukraine.

At one time there were 25 tanneries in Chicago. Horween is the only survivor.

"The worst thing that could happen was to get caught medium-sized, because the big guys did it cheaper and the little guys did it better," Horween said. "So we've always been one of the little guys."

It is an intricate process for these folks, creating the various textures, patterns and colors for such high-profile customers.

But when they see the end result, they say it's all worth it.

"We take a lot of pride in it," Horween said. "I mean I get a kick out of on Sundays watching the balls go through the goal post and watching other sports on TV. I drive my wife crazy because people are walking by and I'm always looking at their shoes!"

They've been in this same building since 1920. And while most tanneries are now based in Asia, Horween Leather Company has no plans to leave Chicago. In fact, Horween's late father was once asked about setting up shop in China, where labor was cheaper.

"Are you a leather guy or a Chicago guy? He said 'I'm a Chicago guy! If you want to move to China, that's up to you!'" Horween said.

Horween also makes leather goods for the company Shinola and they are now providing the leather for a new line of purses from Roots in Canada.

Plus they're about to start making leather watchbands for Motorola's new SmartWatches. Chicago company to Chicago company!