The company was formed in 1989 as a commission weaver to the industry and was based in Huddersfield to service the Fine Worsted Industry of the area. We started with 15 employees with an investment of £1.5M. We quickly developed by using state-of-the-art machinery and the latest computerisation to give the ultimate control of our business for the benefit of our customers. By 1996 we had moved into our second, brand new building, consisting of 57,000 sq feet that was fully air-conditioned. 53 weaving machines, warping and preparation machinery were put together with further computerisation incorporating the latest barcode and tracking facilities for production and quality at a cost £10.5M. This was a state-of-the-art world-class manufacturing unit employing 150 employees.

The company produces approximately 70,000 metres of fabric per week. Around 45,000 meters of super fine worsted fabric and blends of luxurious fibres with superfine worsted are for our customers in the high-value couture market. We produce a further 25,000 meters of fabric for the retail and corporate wear industry, blending such technologies as Lycra and performance fibres.

We also have a 25% shareholding in John Foster and 50% of HFW Huddersfield Ltd, incorporating names holding Royal warrants such as J&J Minnis and John G Hardy, which are very important companies in the high-value suitings dealing with all the top Italian, French and Japanese fashion houses such as Prada, Armani, Givenchy Kiton, Lanvin, Boss, Nina Ricci and Chanel, to name but a few.

We have become the largest worsted manufacturer in the UK. Our success is definitely due to our well-trained and skilled workforce, both here and globally, and our investment in the latest technology on a regular basis. We believe that our success rests in the ability to give our customer a complete service, covering every option from the yarn through to the garment.