Long-established UK manufacturer of wool-based textiles for a variety of industrial purposes seeks opportunities to supply new partners under a manufacturing or long-term supply agreement

Summary

Profile Type

Business Offer

POD Reference

BOGB20230210012

Term of Validity

10 February 2023 - 9 February 2025

Company's Country

United Kingdom

Type of partnership

Commercial agreement
Supplier agreement

Targeted Countries

All countries

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General information

Short Summary

This established and innovative UK textile manufacturer has particular expertise in the production of wool-based products for industrial and commercial applications, including the production of musical instruments, bakery belts, printing blankets and chemical spillage absorption.

It now seeks new partners to collaborate with, in order to provide them with bespoke products for their specific manufacturing needs under a manufacturing or other long-term supply agreement.

Full Description

Established in the 18th century, the family-owned UK company is a leading player in the design, manufacture and supply of woollen and worsted fabrics of the highest quality which are used in a wide variety of applications: from ceremonial and military uniforms to high fashion, and from interior fabrics for royal palaces, top hotels and homes to baize for pool and snooker tables.

Its production draws upon a long heritage, utilising skills and craftsmanship learnt over 240 years, combined with modern design techniques and trends. The company is able to offer full vertical manufacturing on site, from the selection and blending of the fibres, right through to the dyeing and finishing of the cloth. It chooses only the best quality fleeces from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, matching the fleece and fibre qualities to the end use of the fabric, in order to ensure a finish of the highest quality. It also has an in-house research and testing laboratory, which is UKAS (UK Accreditation Service) accredited and carries out extensive testing and quality control.

As well as the production of a range of uniform, protective and fashion products for which it is now world-renowned, the company has developed a range of innovative, wool-based products for use in industrial and commercial applications including:
• Belts used in bakeries and biscuit factories, valued because of their durability, ability to withstand heat and natural, chemical-free composition;
• Musical instruments, including pianos (their products are used by Steinway) and wind instruments;
• Printing, the wool fabric acting as a blanket to absorb ink and maintain pressure when printing;
• Chemical spillage prevention, the wool fabric wicking away spillages from machinery and reducing contamination or fire;
• Games tables, in particular for snooker and pool tables, with the company producing the first ever printed cloth for pool tables.

These products are sold in many countries world-wide.

The flexibility, durability, quality and environmentally-friendly characteristics of the wool materials which the company is able to produce open them up to a wide range of uses and it is therefore keen to explore other opportunities, either in the sectors listed above or in other industrial areas where there are potential applications for materials of this kind.

It therefore wishes to identify new manufacturing or industrial partners who have a need for natural and durable wool textile materials and would be willing to work with the UK firm on a long-term collaborative basis, under a manufacturing or any other form of lasting supply relationship. Partners would have the opportunity to work together with the UK company in order to obtain a product specific to their requirements or develop their own new products incorporating fabrics from the firm.

Advantages and Innovations

The UK company offers the following advantages to potential partners:

• The opportunity to work with a long-established company which is not only able to draw on its long heritage of wool textile production but which has also demonstrated its ability to innovate and explore new markets for its products;

• the experience and ability to find the best way to craft the cloth to make it perfect for its specific end use;

• in-house vertical production covering: selection and blending of the fibres, carding, spinning, warping, weaving, dyeing, tentering and finishing;

• a willingness to work together to develop bespoke fabric or products to meet the partner’s specific needs;

• an in-house and accredited research and testing laboratory, permitting the strictest of testing and quality control;

• supply of a material that comes from a natural and renewable source but which is also durable, flexible, heat-resistant and ultimately recyclable/reusable.

Stage of Development

Already on the market

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner

Partners could be from a wide range of industry or commercial sectors, but should have a need for a textile product (or products) in their manufacturing with the potential qualities offered by a wool-based fabric.

They should be willing to work with the UK company to define their specific requirements and, if necessary, test the products in situ before commissioning regular supply. The UK company anticipates supplying the partner on the basis of a manufacturing agreement, but is also open to discussion of other long-term collaborative supply agreements. Key is that the partner should be committed to working with the UK company on a lasting basis, in a true collaborative partnership.

Type and Size of Partner