News:

Textiles Response Goes Live

The new textiles response website is now live.

To view the site goto: www.textilesresponse.co.uk

Taking the textile industry forward

The launch of TEXTILES FORWARD marks the result of a two year consultation process with the industry in this region during which 800 companies were asked how they would like to see the industry evolve and what help they and their sectors needed.

Sectorial focus groups discussed literally hundreds of initiatives but it quickly became apparent that several issues were common to most businesses. Diverse businesses, often operating at opposite ends of the supply chain, face broadly similar challenges.

Now, with the help of YORKSHIRE FORWARD we have the resources needed to begin to tackle some of these challenges. Our programme of action has been divided into seven strands,some of which have already started to bring benefits to the industry; others are destined to come on stream over the next few months.

Driven by the Confederation of British Wool Textiles and Textile Centre of Excellence and with the help of the National Wool Textile Export Corporation, and other agencies, we are ready to help local companies face the difficult times affecting all of us running manufacturing businesses.

The rapidly expanding textile service sector (those who may not have their own machinery but are still involved in the textile chain) will also receive help, as will those new businesses which, as yet, are only an idea in a budding entrepreneur’s mind. Looking to the future we will aim to help companies create tomorrow’s strategic thinkers and tomorrows new businesses. But above all, we trust that Textiles Forward can further unite an already cohesive group featuring a wide range of cultural and ethnic companies. We are a cluster of dynamic businesses and with appropriate help can go on to expand. New areas of production such as Technical Textiles offer potential new opportunities for our industry.