Pecard: Trusted Leather Conditioner Since 1902

Pecard Chemical Co., Inc. started out as a small family-owned company in northeastern Wisconsin in 1902. For more than a century, Pecard has been the most trusted name in the treatment, preservation, and weatherproofing of leather. Our leather care products have been tested, proven, and perfected from the very beginning, and our dedication to craftsmanship and quality continues to set Pecard apart from the rest.

The Invention of Pecard Leather Dressing

More than 100 years ago in Lena, WI, Phil Pecard began experimenting with formulas to protect, restore, and seal leather gear. Pecard’s original leather dressings and oils were created not out of vanity but out of necessity. The lumbermen of Wisconsin’s north woods needed a leather conditioner that would keep their expensive boots durable and dry in the cold, wet, and often brutal environment.

The result was Pecard Leather Dressing, a product designed to last and to deliver on its promise: “NEVER LEAK.”

A Reputation Built on Trust

Pecard’s commitment to quality quickly earned the brand an unmatched reputation. Lumbermen swore by it. Factory workers endorsed it. Hunters refused to walk the woods without it. Admiral Richard E. Byrd specifically chose Pecard Leather Dressing to protect his crew and their gear on the first expedition to the South Pole, which took place form 1928 to 1930. It was also the only leather care product selected by the crew of Operation Deepfreeze, a series of explorations across the Arctic Circle.

Leather Care for Generations

From work boots and saddles to gloves, jackets, and sporting gear, Pecard has been trusted across generations to keep leather strong, flexible, and protected. Today, we continue to produce the same time-tested formulas while expanding our line of leather conditioners, cleaners, and dressings to meet the needs of modern outdoorsmen, motorcyclists, and collectors worldwide.

The Growth of Pecard Leather Care

Proven time and time again under even the most brutal conditions, Pecard quickly became known as a leather care product you could count on. After World War II, founder Phil Pecard built a small but sturdy factory in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area. Not long after, he sold the business to Arthur Wadzinski, a young family man with the vision to carry Pecard forward.

Innovation and Expansion

Over the next 20 years, Pecard expanded to meet growing demand. Our product formulas were refined, patented, and legally protected, ensuring unmatched quality in leather treatment and preservation. New formulas were developed in collaboration with business partners to meet the needs of different leather tanning processes.

During this time, Pecard introduced its trademarked and distinctive redheaded “NEVER LEAK” duck logo, which quickly became a symbol of trusted leather conditioners and dressings. By 1964, the company was incorporated to support continued growth, and in 1975 a much larger manufacturing facility was built. What began as a small, one-man operation had grown into a full-service leather care manufacturer.

Carrying on the Legacy

In the late 1980s, Arthur worked with his son Steven to further refine product lines, refresh logos, and expand into new markets, both directly and through private label partnerships. This growth positioned Pecard Leather Care products as the superior choice for many nationally and internationally recognized companies seeking a high-quality line of leather care solutions to protect their customers’ boots, jackets, saddles, gloves, and other leather goods.

A Modern Identity

In 2016, Pecard Chemical Co. officially changed its name to Pecard Leather Care Co., better reflecting the leather care products we proudly manufacture. Today, Pecard continues its tradition of delivering the most trusted formulas for leather preservation, weatherproofing, and restoration, keeping our heritage alive for future generations.

Exclusive manufacturer of leather care products

Pecard has what you need for leather care you can trust. All of our products are handcrafted in the USA with the finest ingredients to help your leather last a lifetime or longer!

We started in 1902 with the “Never Leak” promise for those working in the brutal cold of northern winters and have expanded so that our suite of Pecard products will treat every type of leather from Suede and NuBuck to Oil Tanned and Coated Leathers.

In 2016 Pecard Chemical Co. changed its name to Pecard Leather Care Co. to more clearly reflect the products we manufacture.

In 2025, Pecard was proudly sold to Angelus Brand, another family-owned company founded in the early 1900s. Phil Pecard had long trusted Angelus and shared a strong business history with them, making the transition a natural continuation of Pecard’s legacy. This partnership ensures that the tradition of authentic craftsmanship and high-quality leather care products will continue for generations to come.

Perfect for when you need to:

• Weatherproof your work boots, hunting, or hiking gear
• Protect your tack and saddle and keep your carriage in show condition
• Condition your ball glove to keep it in the game for years
• Treat your leather so it remains supple and conditioned for a lifetime
• Clean, restore, or revive a fine leather item
• Maintain your furniture, car, and motorcycle leather in tip-top shape