Buckaroo Leatherworks

About

Buckaroo Leatherworks began in the 1970s in a backyard shed in Sydney’s South West. It was started by Ken Van Der Water, a South African immigrant who had a passion for leatherwork. At first, he made dog collars and small leather items by hand.Everything changed in 2000, when two Kiwi tradesmen asked Ken to create a leather toolbelt with back support. That request led to Buckaroo’s signature product and set the company on a new path.Today, Buckaroo is known around the world for high-quality leather toolbelts and gear, used by tradespeople across Australia and in global mining industries. After Ken passed away in 2012, his daughter Tanya Van Der Water became CEO. Under her leadership, Buckaroo has grown into a global brand while staying true to its roots.Based in Bellambi, Wollongong, the Buckaroo team continues to handcraft every product in-house. Their skilled craftspeople work closely with tradies to test and improve each design, blending traditional leatherwork with modern innovation. Even with international success, Buckaroo remains a close-knit, family-run business. Tanya continues to grow the brand with the same values her father started it with: quality, honesty, and a deep respect for the trades.