Textiles

 

For over 200 years Angus has been an important centre for the manufacture of textiles.

Economy

Scotland's textile sector is a varied and dynamic one, employing around 17,000 people, contributing £1,084m turnover; 5.7 per cent of Scottish manufacturing jobs; exporting 37 per cent of output, and contributing 2.2 per cent of Scotland's manufacturing total. The biggest export markets are USA, Western Europe and Japan with 16 per cent of companies operating internationally.

 

Expansion into Niche Markets

The textile and clothing industry has been going through a period of continuous change in recent years, moving into a niche markets and operating internationally. This has resulted in a productivity increase of 12 per cent throughout Scotland. In Angus, investment in the latest technology has allowed the industry to move ahead into woven and non-woven polypropylene, technical textiles for industrial, civil engineering and military applications, and protective clothing manufacture. Throughout Scotland, the technical textiles sector is one of the strongest performing, making up around 10 per cent of companies and 25 per cent of employment, but 40 per cent of turnover. Technical Textiles represent, worldwide, the most rapidly growing sector in the textiles industry.

Angus is a strong part of this rapidly developing market offering an unrivalled range and excellent quality of production, direct from stock or made to an individual customer's specification. Technical textiles covers a multitude of applications and technical textile products are being used in sectors such as healthcare, the automotive industry, offshore oil and gas, marine industries, electronics, forestry, fishing, agriculture, geo-textiles, construction and civil engineering and industrial packaging.

 

Traditional Clothing Made in Angus

Clothing is a major and growing sector of Scottish Textiles with traditional Scottish fashion such as kilts, tartan skirts, trousers and jackets still made in Angus.

Scottish clothing reflects the strength and breadth of Scotland's apparel manufacturing base. Investment in modern technology has created a supply base which is capable of meeting the demand for classically styled modern women's, men's and children's outerwear to the latest in product development and fashion styling.

 

Workforce

As the industry has restructured, a higher proportion of the workforce are now employed in higher skilled jobs in areas such as design and product development. The successful Angus textile companies quote the commitment and loyalty of their workforce as a major factor in their success.

 

Types of Companies

There are currently 450 textile companies in Scotland, directly employing over 17,000 people. Some of the textile companies succeeding in Angus include: Don & Low, J & D Wilkie and Specialist Clothing.

View Textile businesses in Angus

A new strategy intended to boost the Scottish Textiles industry has been launched this year.  This strategy aims to build on Scotland's long and distinguished history and reputation in producing high quality textiles, whilst reinforcing its strengths in design and innovation, which will enable it to compete in the international marketplace.

Developed by the industry, in partnership with both trade unions and Scottish EnterpriseScottish Enterprise's Scottish Textiles team, the strategy outlines a clear route for the textiles sector to increase the contribution it makes to the Scottish economy, by raising the proportion of bigger companies operating in the sector, investing more in research and development and building globally recognised brands.

There are three key components that lie at the heart of the strategy:

• Increase Scotland's international profile as a centre for top level design and technical textiles.
• Create greater collaboration between textiles companies and with other sectors to exploit new opportunities through innovative products and services.
• Strengthen the world class workforce that already exists in Scotland and increase the proportion of the workforce in high value employment.
  

New initiatives to boost the industry:

• The establishment of the Scottish Textile Forum. With representatives from the industry, The Forum will help the Scottish Executive develop further measures to support the Scottish textile industry and opportunity for discussion of current issues facing the industry.
  
• Scottish Textile Champions. Four leading names in Scottish textiles have agreed to be "Champions" for the industry to promote the sector and encourage new enterprises.
  
• Consider the piloting of a generic and/or ethical labeling initiative in Scotland. The "Cashmere Made in Scotland" campaign has been very successful. The Scottish Executive will work with other members of the Scottish Textile Forum to investigate whether further initiatives of this type could benefit other textile "brands" and whether a voluntary labeling initiative built on the ethical production of the garment could be piloted in Scotland.
  
• Help for exporters. The textile sector is identified as a priority sector in the current Export Development Strategy for Scotland. This strategy is currently under review. Proposals for support for the textile sector will be considered as part of this review. Textile companies currently benefit from the full range of advice and assistance provided by Scottish Trade International and the network of 13 local Export Partnerships which operate across Scotland.