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Made in England!
Acting chairman’s update
“It never ceases to amaze me how generous it is of companies to open their doors to ASBCI technical visits. Our most recent host was luxury knitwear manufacturer, John Smedley, who has successfully bucked the global trend and produces its product entirely in England. The value of such visits in promoting the wider understanding of our industry cannot be overstated. Our sincere thanks go to the John Smedley team for their hospitality.
Malcolm Ball
ASBCI acting chairman
Sheep to shop visit
John Smedley Limited is the world’s largest producer of fine 30-gauge knitwear and is acknowledged as being one of the last vertical producers of luxury knitwear in the UK. On a recent technical visit over 45 ASBCI members witnessed how this private company with over 220 years of industrial heritage has retained its founding family ties, modernised its plant and processing methods, and transformed itself into a successful ‘Made in England’ global brand. The highly informative technical tour encompassed every 35 stages of the manufacturing process, from wool selection and preparation through to testing, design, prototyping, knitting, dyeing, finishing, make-up, QC, pressing, packing and distribution. ASBCI attendees from across the supply chain included Adams, Amann Donisthorpe, Dorothy Perkins, Bellwoven Company, BMB Clothing, J.P. Boden, Branded Solutions, Coventry Clothing Centre, De Montfort University, George, Intertek Labtest, Johnson Cleaners, London College of Fashion, Manchester Metropolitan University, Matalan, NEXT, Nilorn Calmon, SGS UK, Softlines, Stevensons, PPT/STR UK, Unilever UK, University of Bolton and The Woolmark Company.
ASBCI members tour the John Smedley plant
The John Smedley executive team from left Tim Clark, technical manager,
John Ogley, technical director, Dawn Stubbs, brand manager,
Richard Wragg, knitwear technologist, Drew Walker, managing director and
John Mumby, purchase manager
ASBCI members visit the John Smedley plant in Matlock
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