UKFT is proud to be supporting the growth of the UK textiles industry

The UK’s textile manufacturing sector produces £5.8bn of materials, ranging from the world’s most sought-after cashmere to the finest worsted wool, luxurious tweeds and distinctive tartans. In addition to their world-renowned apparel fabrics, the UK textile industry produces high quality fabrics and accessories for the home interiors sectors plus a wide range of technical textiles and performance fabrics that are used in industries such as medical, defence and aerospace.

There are more than 4,200 businesses manufacturing textiles in the UK – an increase of 12% in the last five years – in a sector that employs more than 64,000 people. The UK exports £3bn of textiles to almost every country in the world.

The UK has a strong textile heritage and a promising future – with more than 4,800 people studying textiles at UK universities each year on courses including textile design, textile technology and textile engineering.

UKFT is particularly proud to be supporting the British group of exhibitors at this season’s edition of Intertextile Shanghai. Despite current travel restrictions, 15 British companies are participating in the show, and are being represented on their stands by their in-market agents or distributors. Five of these companies are participating under DIT’s Tradeshow Access Programme which supports the export development of eligible British companies.

Press Release – Exhibitors – Intertextile March 2021

Press Release UKFT Intertextile March 2021

“Despite the recent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, the UK textile industry remains dedicated to providing its customers, both at home and abroad, with the usual high levels of service and assured quality and workmanship that it is renowned for delivering,” said Paul Alger MBE, Director of International Business at UKFT. “The creative skills and inspired technical talent that are such integral part of the fabrics produced by the British mills, remain the driving force of an industry that strives to bring the world amazing and original collections each season.”

In an effort to assist fabric buyers internationally, UKFT has recently updated their Let’s Make It Here online directory (https://letsmakeithere.org) with key product information on the site now available in English, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish and Italian. Let’s Make it Here is a free to use directory of high-quality British manufacturers covering all stages of the supply chain, from yarns, fabrics and trimmings through to garment manufacturing, finishing and processing services.

The British Group at Intertextile Shanghai is coordinated by UKFT and supported by the Department for International Trade. For further information on UK textiles visit www.ukft.org/textiles or follow UKFT on Instagram @textiles.ukft or @UKFTorg

BEST OF BRITISH TEXTILES