07 Sep 2025 Arkansas unleashed
By Colleen Holt
According to the Arkansas District Export Council (ArDEC), 1,616 Arkansas companies exported goods in 2022, with 78 percent of them being small- and medium-sized enterprises that employ fewer than 500 employees. With the help of the ArDEC, these companies can navigate the complexities of international trade and conquer a steep learning curve that can be hard to learn on one’s own. Expert guidance is provided to support both new and seasoned exporters — everything from identifying the right overseas markets to securing a trustworthy in-country distributor.
One of these companies is Leather Brothers in Conway. Almost a half a century ago, the company had a modest beginning and now are selling to an international market. As they head into their 50th anniversary in 2026, they are proving that Arkansas families can take a business to a global level.
In 1976, brothers Louis and Steve Schrekenhofer established Leather Brothers Inc., which manufactures quality pet products. Starting with dog collars, these third-generation leather workers transformed a unique product into a thriving business. Now, the next generation has taken the business one step further — worldwide distribution.
Leather craftsmanship truly does run in the Schrekenhofer family blood. “Our grandfather, Stephen Michael Schrekenhofer, came over from Germany and was a shoe cobbler by trade. And our father, George Sr., picked up the trade when he moved to Conway. He owned and operated a shoe store/repair shop downtown on Oak Street for many years,” Steve said. “We grew up working in the shoe shop and working with leather and are involved in the leather business today. We have been blessed with many loyal and dedicated associates, being both family and non-family, who have worked with us over the years.”
The fourth generation includes Louis’s son and Steve’s son and daughters. The company supplies its products, bearing the brand name OmniPet® by Leather Brothers, to an ever-growing network of dealers and distributors. The company adopted the brand name as it became more diverse in the pet market and is now one of the leading manufacturers of dog supplies in the country.
Additionally, Leather Brothers has benefited both financially and personally from exporting its products. “We have been able to retain our current and long-standing employees and also add new personnel over the past few years, thanks to several export accounts we work with that have grown. We are thankful for our amazing and skilled workforce because we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. Our largest export accounts are currently in Canada, the Caribbean and South America,” said General Manager Michael Schrekenhofer.
“Overall, our year after year sales have been very consistent and growing thanks to our amazing customer base. Even though a large portion of our business is within the states, we have seen an increase in sales specifically with our Canadian counterparts and the Caribbean and South America as well,” he said. “Attending pet industry trade shows in the USA brings in new export accounts and has contributed to our success and increase in exports within the last few years as well.”
One of the best surprises for this expanding business has been the involvement of the Arkansas District Export Council. It works alongside the U.S. Commercial Service, specifically the Arkansas U.S. Export Assistance Center in Little Rock, to provide educational webinars covering every aspect of exporting, as well as in-person networking events where participants can exchange valuable insights and experiences.
trade when he moved to Conway. He owned and operated a shoe store/repair shop downtown on Oak Street for many years.
Because of the unknown, exporting has been intimidating at times. “When working with accounts in another country, it can be scary at first with regards to payments, not knowing much about the companies you’re working with, and the process of exporting in general,” Michael said. “But thanks to the ArDEC, the U.S. Commercial Services, the University of Arkansas, and the Arkansas World Trade Center, we’ve learned a lot and have been supplied resources and knowledge that have really helped us grow in this area.”
“For many small- and mid-sized companies, the idea of expanding into international markets can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. But here’s the good news — it doesn’t have to be intimidating,” said Jonathan Bricker, chairman of the ArDEC. “At the council, we specialize in turning global ambitions into achievable strategies. Our team works hands-on with businesses to help them explore new markets, navigate regulations and build sustainable growth abroad. And the impact is felt by everyone! International expansion brings new jobs in the local community, increased tax revenue and fresh capital investment right here in Arkansas. We know there will be questions, and we welcome them. Think of us as your growth partners who are ready to guide, support and celebrate your success every step of the way.”
According to the ArDEC site, other benefits range from the ability to reach millions of potential customers beyond a domestic market to forming new relationships with other cultures.
The powers that be at Leather Brothers are excited about the impact their products have overseas. “It’s a very rewarding feeling to see that, with the help of our skilled workforce in Conway, we’re able to produce products and ship them not only within the USA but all over the world, where they are enjoyed by pets and their families,” Michael said. “When you’re able to walk into a pet store in another country and see a dog or cat collar that says Made in the USA — knowing it’s Made in Arkansas and hearing the customers rave about how well the product sells — it’s always fun to share those kinds of stories with our team as well.”
It’s also gratifying to be part of something bigger. “With the United States being a country where our product consumption rate is high and so many companies tend to import products instead of manufacturing them here, being a manufacturer and exporter, we’re not only providing amazing products and jobs locally, but we’re also contributing to the state of Arkansas’s overall export economy, which has a positive effect on our country’s economy as well,” Michael said. “The export community is very diverse in Arkansas, and through the Arkansas District Export Council, we’ve been able to network and learn from many others in the Arkansas business community. Seeing everyone working together and pushing in the same direction to help companies grow their exports has been a blessing as well.”
Leather Brothers is one of the few remaining “cut and sew” pet product factories in the U.S., and they still produce a large portion of their products in Conway. They are particularly proud of the skilled workforce in Arkansas. “Helping with the resurgence of American-made products within the pet industry has been a blessing,” Michael said.
Michael said that Steve and Louis have been around leather all of their lives, and the name Leather Brothers came about one night when Steve and Louis showed up at their parents’ house, both wearing leather jackets. Their mother exclaimed, “Look, it’s the leather brothers!” And the name stuck.
