Who we are
Established in 1832,
reimagined in 2021
Pangea is a global leather supplier to the world’s leading automotive brands, we provide full interior solutions that reinvent the standard in supplier service. With approximately 3,000 team members operating on four continents, we’re driven by a disciplined passion for leather.
Who we are
It begins
with a name
Pangea is a term that refers to a point in Earth’s history when the continents were connected as one supercontinent. Our company embodies this spirit. Our leather is tied to the earth, connected to one another and to our global team of artisans who make it.
Who we are
Connected by nature
We embrace a culture of innovation that empowers our team, benefits our
customers and preserves our planet.
Our Vision
To be the world’s most trusted automotive leather company, delivering a customer experience unlike anything else in the market.
Our Mission
Our people and processes embody a passion for leather mastery, lean enterprise, continuous sustainability and a global connectedness built on trust and commitment.
Who we are
Character is what defines us
We’re a global team of 3,000 strong, driven by a disciplined passion for leather. Our skilled artisans, located on four continents and in eight countries, deliver interior experiences that emanate luxury and engage the senses.
Pangea Leadership
Named from left to right:
Tim Brennan – EVP, Sales, Marketing, Design & Program Management
Francisco Escapite – EVP, Global Human Resources
Jamie Osuna – EVP, Global Operations
Tim Lieckfelt – EVP, Global Supply Chain
Laurie Busch – VP, Global Design
Randy Johnson – President & Chief Executive Officer
John Arends – CFO & EVP, Finance
Bob Tuuk – VP, Global Purchasing
John Arends
CFO & EVP, Finance
Tim Brennan
EVP, Sales, Marketing, Design & Program Management
Laurie Busch
VP, Global Design
Francisco Escapite
EVP, Global Human Resources
Randy Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tim Lieckfelt
EVP, Global Supply Chain
Jamie Osuna
EVP, Global Operations
Bob Tuuk
VP, Global Purchasing
Luiz Barbetta
Director – Global IT, CDC
Jeffrey Chen
President, Asia
Matt Ellis
Director, Mexico Operations
Simon Gawinski
Senior Director of Sales, Europe Business Dev.
Tom Herron
Director – Global Lean and Innovation, CDC
Roger Pinto
Director of Sustainability & Innovation, CDC
Jeff Miller
Senior Advanced Product Director, CDC
Alberto Palomino
Product Development Director, Mexico
Russ Rice
Senior Director of North America Sales & Program Mgt.
Shalen Seewandan
Director of European & African Operations
Jaquelyn Smith
Director, Corporate Marketing
Nick Taniguchi
Director of Sales, Marketing & Program Management, Japan
1832 |
Joseph Byron establishes business in Massachusetts where 65 years later, his grandson, opens expands into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Maryland. Business flourishes amid an abundance of rock oak, a major source of tannic acid used in the veg-tan process. |
1922 |
Following its founding in 1906, European leather manufacturer Seton begins supplying leather to the automotive industry. |
1926 |
Salesman Alfred Fried opens tannery and trading company specializing in handbags and belts in Manhattan. |
1933 |
Freid and families merge with Flynn & Sons to form Garden State Tanning, expanding its business into 4 states. The company continues to grow as it enters the automotive leather business, acquiring additional facilities and expanding its footprint over two decades. |
1976 |
GST acquires operations formerly known as Byron Tanning to support the rapidly growing automotive leather market. |
1990s |
GST becomes the first American supplier to implement the Toyota Production System (TPS). The GST team expands into in South America with a state of the art cutting facility in Mexico while Seton launches manufacturing operations in Germany and South Africa. |
2000 |
GST enters the China market via a consulting agreement with Genfort. |
2004 |
GST opens Nuevo Laredo, Mexico finishing facility. GST and SRL enter into strategic technology and supply agreement for re-tan and finishing capabilities in Shanghai, China. |
2006 |
GST consolidates all cutting operations into Saltillo, Mexico campus; purchases CUINBA. Company relocates Global HQ & Technical Center from Maryland to Michigan. |
2010 |
GST acquires Seton Company to become GST Seton AutoLeather. |
2018 |
GST adds new finishing plant in Jiaxing, China. |
2019 |
GST opens a global headquarters in Michigan. |
2021 |
GST rebrands itself as Pangea, representing global oneness. |
2023 |
Pangea publishes inaugural sustainability report. All applicable facilities receive LWG Gold. |
Who we are
Discover Our
Global Presence
From our roots to your hands, every product tells a story of craftsmanship that spans the globe. Explore our locations and see how we bring together a world of artisans, united by a shared passion for quality and connection.