The Bowron journey embarked when George and William Bowron ventured to Christchurch, driven solely by a dream. Like daring pioneers of their time, they risked everything to establish the Bowron Sheepskin tannery in 1879. However, the early years posed challenges, as a devastating fire razed the original tannery in the early 1920s.

Following World War II, the business diversified into leather, calfskins, and footwear. In the 1970s, the company made substantial investments, constructing tanneries in the lower South Island of New Zealand and Bendigo, Australia. Expanding their horizons, Bowron focused on export markets in the 1980s, establishing a presence in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. By the late 1980s, Bowron had burgeoned into the world's largest woolskin tannery and was acquired by Japan's Maruhachi Mawata Ltd in 1988.

The 1990s marked a period of tremendous growth and expansion, as the company invested in factories in Thailand and Vietnam. In 2011, a massive earthquake struck New Zealand, putting both the company and the country's resilience to the test. Subsequently, in 2015, Henan Prosper acquired the company, opening up new avenues of markets and investments. Today, Bowron remains deeply rooted in the region, with its main headquarters and tanning facility situated in Woolston—a testament to their enduring presence and commitment to excellence.