Sector in Profile: Textiles

Sector in Profile: Textiles

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Scottish textiles?

Tartan?

How about…

- Bullet proof tweed?
- The White House?
- HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’?
- Luxury cars?
- Laser innovation?

All of these are interwoven into the exciting tapestry that is the modern Scottish textiles industry.

Scottish designers have supplied interior design skill into the Obama’s private residence and the Oval Office through to making sure every detail of Martin Scorsese’s epic ‘Boardwalk Empire’ was factually correct for its era down to the lace hanging in the windows of scenes.

Scottish textile companies have supplied interior materials for luxury cars such as Aston Martin and Jaguar and are involved in laser innovation to help reduce waste, save energy and ultimately produce superior fabrics.

Tweed, one of Scotland’s most well known textile exports has been given a make over through the company Jack Ellis who have developed a bullet-proof tweed to protect sportsmen during their country pursuits of shooting, hunting and fishing.

The company specialises in the design and manufacture of ballistic body armour from its Scottish facilities and has a growing customer base of government organisations, special forces and prisons.

All of the above varied products and designers feed into an high-tech and yet traditional industry that accounts for 5.7% of all Scottish manufacturing jobs, a £1084M turnover for Scotland and exports to the value of £390M. Scotland is rightly proud of this industry that spans luxury fabrics, designer brands and specialist technical markets.

How can GlobalScot support the Scottish textiles industry?

Do you have contacts into luxury brands, retailers, hoteliers, design houses…?

If you have any contacts that you think can benefit the sector or just want to hear more about what is happening in textiles in Scotland, please contact angela.collier@scotent.co.uk.