UK fashion sector sustainable & reliable workforce

09 Oct '12

4 min read

Indeed Britain is best asserts Michael Stoll, managing director of Salford-based luxury menswear manufacturer Cooper & Stollbrand and founder of the military inspired Private White VC brand, but it has to be: “All British with no fudge!” He is concerned that there are too many brands and retailers falsely claiming to be ‘Made in Britain’: “It’s not enough to buy the fabric from Britain and then ship it overseas to be manufactured – that’s not Made in Britain.”

He adds: “We try not to buy anything from abroad and that makes us a proper British manufacturer and brand. We don’t just say it on the label. We get our complicated mix of products from local sources. Then we aim at the rich people – money is at the top not at the bottom.” He believes manufacturing will only return the UK if the retailers and consumers play their part and insist on authentic ‘Made in Britain’ products.

It does not get more authentic than Johnstons of Elgin explained James Dracup its group managing director. The company has been making its luxury cashmere-based fabrics and products on the banks of the river Lossie in North East Scotland since 1797.

A vertical operation employing over 700 people he attributes the company’s success to five fundamental business principles. Its healthy export business (over 70% of its products are exported) driven by product and design not accountants and independent of the city; investment in product design and innovation; uncompromising commitment to quality with products: “that others find difficult to make”; production flexibility underpinned by an enormous capital investment in plant, people, systems and facilities; and a relentless focus on luxury niche, global markets. Furthermore as an important local employer Johnstons is playing its part in sustaining a healthy local economy.

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Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI)

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