Manufacturing grant to boost sales for Stitch It

A Blackburn-based textile manufacturer has increased turnover by 50% and is on track for a five-figure sales boost following a £6k capital grant from the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund.

Stitch It Ltd is an innovative textiles manufacturer, which specialises in fabric design and embroidery. The firm supply work wear, leisure wear, school wear, corporate wear, hospitality items, pet clothing and gift wear for online retailers. The business had built a reputation as a quality manufacturing firm, which focuses on attention to detail and customer service.

Mark Robinson, Director, commented: “We have built a strong base of customers by offering a flexible, fast service at a competitive price. We have also developed a bespoke design service, which is made possible by our CNC embroidery processes.”

“I had the opportunity to take on new contracts, but was concerned that we would be unable to meet the demand using our existing machinery. We were using a single head unit which limited the production speed from the machine.”

“In addition, I wanted to develop better connectivity between our embroidery machine and our design systems. By investing in new equipment, we could speed up our processes and free up our existing PC to be used for new product design.”

Mark approached Alan Reid, Specialist Manufacturing Advisor for the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund for advice. Alan said: “It was clear that Stitch It had attainable growth ambitions, and that financial investment in new equipment would help them achieve results.

It was easy to recommend that they apply for one of the Growth Fund’s capital grants, which would provide the business with match funding towards the cost of the equipment.” Alan worked with Mark to submit the grant application and the business was awarded £6k to purchase a state of the art embroidery machine, which was implemented in early 2018.

Mark said: “The new equipment is already making a huge difference to Stitch It. It has improved the speed of production of our embroidered designs, which has created capacity for us to take on new business. Not only is the new equipment renowned as the best in the UK market, it connects with our existing systems and will provide us with data to support decision making.”  The state-of-the-art embroidery machine. “Since the new equipment was installed turnover is up by 50% and I believe we will increase sales by around £40k by the end of 2018. This dramatic increase in sales volume, which would not have been possible without the addition of the new equipment, has recently necessitated a move from our small, home based workshop to a modern, purposed laid out industrial unit.”

“I’m so pleased with the support we received from the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund, which will help us to achieve our growth ambitions. I am already recruiting for a new Production Operative to help us meet the increased demand for our products. “ 

Are you a Lancashire-based manufacturer with growth aspirations? For more information and to apply for the grant please contact Boost on 0800 488 0057 or: Alan Reid, Manufacturing Advisor, Lancashire Business Growth Fund Email: alan.reid@growthco.uk Phone: 07734 776559 Website: www.manufacturingnorthwest.com