1978
Judy And Shirley sheepskin industry
It was 1978 when Judy Wood first started working within the sheepskin industry. Judy and her husband Bob, were keen to develop a circular economy amongst the Denmark community and so came the idea to obtain unwanted skins from local farmers and learn how to tan them. With the notion to eventually create items such as rugs and slippers.
1978
How it started
Working from her home on the farm, Judy tanned each hide by hand and after some time began purchasing machinery in order to cut soles and sew the skins with stronger stitching. Next was to start selling some of her items. First to a local business in Narrikup, but before long she was taking orders for her slippers and ugg boots
It was with her neighbour, Shirley Watts, who helped and worked along Judy during the early years
where the name and business came about. Judy and Shirley Sheepskin Industries (JASSI).
1980 - 2003
The business grows
By the early 1980’s, Judy’s family built a large workshop and craft outlet on their family farm. Shirley sadly passed in 1986 leaving Judy to eventually register the business as a sole proprietor as JASSI Enterprises.
It was 2003 when Judy made the decision to sell Jassi to another local family, Val and Kevin Laing
2003
The Laing Family
Val and Kevin, both born here in Denmark lived on a working cattle farm near William Bay with their three children. Kevin transformed a shed on the farm into a workshop and store front for Jassi and it was here where the both immersed themselves into learning all they could about the sheepskin industry trade.
They brought with them all the ladies that worked for Judy to help create the boots, including Kevin's sister Janice.
2003 - 2008
More than ugg boots
Both Kevin and Val would be in the workshop everyday, cutting, sewing and glueing boots. Kevin also began having a go at leatherworks too, starting with belts. It was during this time Jassi was re-registered as Jassi Leatherworks.
Kevin devastatingly passes from a hard battle with cancer so Val and their son Brendan decided to let go of Jassi for several years and passed it on to friends and then onto Kevin's sister Janice.
2021
jassi today
Eventually, in 2021, Brendan was able to purchase Jassi back and bring it back to his family home on the farm. Back to the converted shed his dad built.
Val, to this day, still works at Jassi helping create all the sheepskin boots that are sold today.
Next> Our Values
Don't miss out
Receive exclusive offers and be the first to hear about new releases.