Case Study: ECA achieves up to 80% hide efficiency with Lectra’s Versalis zero-buffer cutting

ECA Moves Up The Leather Value Chain With Zero-Buffer Cutting

ECA, a family-run Belgian automotive supplier founded in 1981 that specializes in aftermarket leather upholstery and car mats, faced rising OEM demands for more customized interiors and needed to move away from slow, inflexible die cutting and manual processes. The company sought a more flexible, cost-effective cutting method to improve hide yield, shorten start-up times, and reduce labor intensity.

ECA invested in Lectra’s Versalis® leather-cutting solution, including automatic nesting and support from Lectra’s Professional Services, enabling zero-buffer cutting and process improvements. The move increased hide efficiency from about 60% with dies to 70–80%, delivered roughly 10% material savings versus their previous Lectra system, reduced manpower needs while raising output, and eliminated OEM tooling costs.

ECA

Lode Garmyn

Business Manager