French fashion house Chanel has purchased the Bodin-Joyeux tannery in Levrous, France, in a bid to ensure the future of its world-class leathers, according to Vogue.

Established in 1860, the tannery specialises in fellmongery (the process whereby fur is removed from hides before tanning), parchments (its original business) and colour-dying.

Despite its new owners, the tannery will not operate exclusively for Chanel and will retain all its clients, for which it currently produces 450,000 skins a year.

Of late, luxury brands have been buying or investing in businesses to guarantee the supply of luxury materials. Chanel also owns Scottish cashmere-makers Barrie Knitwear, Lesage couture embroiderers and plant growers for Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Gucci-owner Kering, Hermes and LVMH have also been buying up tanneries in an effort better to control their supply chain. Recently, LVMH and Hermes even bought crocodile farms.