SPOTLIGHT
Roma Industries
MADE IN ST PETE
Fine leather and exotic skin accessories are hand-crafted in Pinellas County
BY JOSE MARTINEZ As we celebrate all things local, one of our little-known artisan gems is Roma Industries. With more than 100 employees in a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Largo, Roma Industries is a leader in the design and manufacture of fine leather and exotic skin-based products and accessories (belts, wallets, key chains, cigar cases, covered humidors, cigar stands, etc.) and remains one of the very few companies to produce in the United States. Roma sells these well-crafted gems through high-end stores, independent retail and specialty stores. They travel the world to get the top-quality skins from many tanneries, sourcing and purchasing with rigorous quality checks. They utilize a full skin in its entirety to reduce waste. The process starts by cutting one skin from largest product to smallest - belt, wallet, watchband - and using smaller leftover pieces for inlay
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keyrings or cufflinks. Roma also donates to local charities instead of throwing away or wasting these natural skins whenever they have extra materials. Splicing is done in house and is done mostly by workers who have spent years learning this fine trade/skill. Splicing truly takes a professional eye to get a matched seam that is not noticeable. Painting is a very long process, followed by polishing, buffing, and waxing. Here again, skill, pride and experience are important ingredients as many of these artisans have been doing this for years. Roma Industries’ extensive experience in fine leather and exotic skins (e.g., stingray, alligator, crocodile, lizard, shark and python) has made them a preferred source and partner for designers, wellknown fashion brands and private label collections. Exotic leathers are a great way to communicate style for a man. Belts and
wallets made out of crocodile leather are understated yet visually alluring with patterns that are both fascinating and extraordinary. They are also tremendously durable and will last a long time. With Father’s Day around the corner, an exotic belt, wallet, cigar case, covered humidor, or cigar stand can be a memorable gift. All of these items come in a range of striking and classy colors like blue, red, cordovan, olive, cognac, yellow and navy, to name a few. The next time you see a well-groomed person around town sporting a leather or exotic skin belt, watch band, wallet, or key chain, you might very well be looking at a piece produced by your Pinellas County neighbor, Roma Industries, right here in the United States! Jose Martinez is president of Sartorial, Inc, a menswear boutique in downtown St. Petersburg.
PHOTOS /ROMA INDUSTRIES
Bryant Park Belts New York Leather Exotic