A.S. (Leathers) Export Pvt. Ltd.

Our place is at A-42 in Kirti Nagar, which is an area everyone knows for furniture and industrial shops. We deal with leather, so the first thing you notice when you walk into A.S. (Leathers) Export Pvt. Ltd. is that very specific smell. It’s a strong scent that sticks to your clothes by the end of the shift. We have stacks of hides piled up in different sections, sorted by color and thickness. The warehouse is a bit dark, but we have big lamps over the inspection tables where we check for scratches or marks. It’s mostly just a group of us who have worked together for years. We spend our days packing boxes and labeling them for shipping. It’s a lot of physical work, moving the heavy rolls of leather and making sure they are stored right so they don’t get ruined. The street outside is always blocked with tempos and rickshaws, so getting deliveries in can be a bit of a headache. We don't have a fancy lobby or a receptionist; you just walk in and someone will be there near the back working. We keep a radio playing in the background to pass the time. It gets quite dusty, so we are always sweeping the floor. It’s a straightforward business. We don't try to be something we aren't. We just handle the leather and get it sent off to whoever bought it. That’s the daily life here in Kirti Nagar for us.