BRIDGE of Weir Leather has strengthened its position as a growing

supplier to the motor industry by winning a three-year #2.2m contract to

supply leather seat upholstery and trim for Renault's executive

flagship, the Safrane.

The company, which employs 136 people, believes the deal with the

successful French motoring group provides a crucial staging post for

more Continental business and will pitch to be included in the

highly-acclaimed new Renault Laguna range.

Jonathan Muirhead, Bridge of Weir Leather's managing director, said

yesterday that inclusion in Renault's list of suppliers only came after

a ''highly-demanding'' quality audit of products and production

processes.

Renault's selection of Scottish hides for its high-performance

hatchback was due partially to links forged three years ago with Swedish

car-builder Volvo, which now uses its leather across most of its

Scandinavian, Belgian and Dutch-built model range.

Although Volvo has drawn back from a wholesale merger with Renault,

the two discussed common sources of components and equipment which led

to a trial by the French ''regie's'' buyers.

Bridge of Weir Leather generates more than 80% of its #15m-a-year

turnover from international automotive contracts and has pioneered a

soft ''crushed'' leather texture for upmarket car interiors using more

environmentally-friendly dyeing and tanning processes.