Make it British Podcast

Come with me on a tour of the Halley Stevensons mill in Dundee, where I’m shown around the mill by production director Billy and sales administrator Ria. Halley Stevensons has been making fabric in Dundee since 1864. It started out as a jute mill and is now the last textile mill of its kind in a city that was once full of them. Today it’s known around the world for its waxed cotton, supplying brands including Barbour and shipping to over 50 countries. We follow the fabric all the way through the mill, from the raw loom state cotton arriving on 500 metre rolls to the final inspection, where every metre is checked by hand. In this episode you'll discover: The history of textiles in the Dundee area and why Halley Stavensons have survived. All of the processes the fabric goes through to transform it from it's raw state to Halley Stevensons' iconic weatherproof fabrics How the business is becoming more sustainable and is the first mill of its kind to be Bluesign certified. Why waxed cotton jackets get handed down…

If you're interested in finding out how I can help you to start or scale your British-made brand, I'm hosting a free Q&A on Tuesday 6th October. Apply to attend the Q&A: makeitbritish.co.uk/qa Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal Register for Make it British Live! here Save the date 12 & 13 January 2027 Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram

Want to transition from making everything in-house to outsourcing to a factory? This episode is for you! We cover: How to know when you're ready to outsource to a factory Why working with a factory can actually cost you less than paying a local seamstress How to get your pricing right before you outsource What you need to preapre before you approach a factory How to approach a factory so your enquiry doesn't get ignored. Ready to scale your UK-made brand? Apply for the British Brand Accelerator at makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow Kate @makeitbritish on Instagram

Register for Make it British Live! here Save the date 12 & 13 January 2027

In this episode I take a trip to rural Nottinghamshire to the micro knitwear factory owned by Samantha Thomas, founder of knitwear brand Waring Brooke. Sam was originally a designer for other brands like Alberta Feretti in Italy, but then 10 years ago she started her own knitwear label and took the brave decision to invest in her own knitting machine to create it. When I had Sam on the podcast 5 years ago she was a one man band - she now has a team and big plans for the future. In this episode we cover: How having her own machine allows her to offer personalisation to her customers, which gives the brand it’s USP What her customers really think about Made in UK The challenges Sam faced getting to grips with production and keeping the machine busy Why she's now opening up her factory to other brands for sampling and small production runs About Waring Brooke Waring Brooke is a knitwear and accessories brand made entirely in its own micro factory in rural Nottinghamshire. Founder Samantha Thomas designs,…

Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram King's Foundation Paul Smith's book Threads

Ready to scale your UK-made brand? Apply for the British Brand Accelerator at makeitbritish.co.uk/apply In this episode I'm joined by Emily Millichip, a fashion designer based in Edinburgh who is relaunching her eponymous brand of 15 years after deciding it no longer aligned with where she is now. In this episode we cover: Why Emily decided to pivot after 15 years How she took her existing customers and Instagram followers with her through the rebrand Collaborating with local craftspeople on small limited edition batches How every piece in the collection is made within an hour of her studio About Emily Millichip Emily Millichip is a fashion designer based in Edinburgh who also has a parallel career in farming. Her new collection, Pagan, is made from natural materials and everything in the collection is manufactured within an hour of her studio. You can find Emily and Emily Millichip at: Website: www.emilymillichip.com Instagram: @emilymillichip Follow Kate @makeitbritish on Instagram

Find out more about William Gee at williamgee.co.uk 2a Forest Road, London, E8 3BY Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal Sign the Open Letter calling on the government to source military and NHS uniforms from UK manufacturers Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram

Sign the Open Letter Book a place at The British Made Showcase here Thursday 1st October 6-8pm Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram

Register for Make it British Live! here Save the date 12 & 13 January 2027 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram

Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram

Subscribe to the mailing list to get Make it British Live! event updates. Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Register for Make it British Live! here Save the date 12 & 13 January 2027

Subscribe to the mailing list to get Make it British Live! event updates. Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 Follow @makeitbritish on Instagram 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Manufacturers Mentioned: woolkind.com caledoniahosiery.com johnstonsofelgin.com halleystevensons.co.uk kcmanufacturing.co.uk aeroleatherclothing.com houseofcheviot.com teviotknitwear.co.uk wonkywoolies.com

Apply to come to the next free Q&A Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Hello and welcome to episode 323 of the Make it British Podcast. I'm back with another episode in my Women in Wool series, this time chatting to knitwear designer Frankie Davies from Charl Knitwear. Frankie spent years designing knitwear for Burberry and Benetton and has spent much of her career inside knitwear factories, so it was only ever a matter of time before she founded her own brand. In this episode, Frankie talks about her use of British wool, the benefits of working with UK factories and how that differs from working with manufacturers in Italy, as well as the challenges of running your own business when you have small children, which I'm sure many of you listening can relate to. In this episode we cover: About Charl Knitwear Charl Knitwear is a British knitwear brand founded by Frankie Davies, a designer with over 20 years of experience working for luxury fashion houses including Burberry and Benetton. Inspired by the Norfolk fisherman's Gansey, the brand combines heritage stitch traditions with a…

Apply to come to the next free Q&A Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Read this email Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Read this email Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

Read this email Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡 🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Laura Watts, managing director of Marton Mills, 3rd generation family weaving business based in Otley, Yorkshire. Marton Mills was founded in 1931 and has built its reputation on uniform fabric - supplying school wear, military contracts for the Navy and the RAF, and fabric for the King's Coronation. Now, alongside its core uniform work, Marton Mills is launching its first fully traceable British wool collection in autumn 2026, with yarn sourced just down the road from Laxton's and fabric finished at Roberts Dyers in Keighley. In this episode we cover: How Laura went from advising heart surgeons at Johnson & Johnson to running a nearly 100-year-old weaving mill. Why uniform fabric is the backbone of the business and how the mill weaves 18 to 20,000 metres of fabric a week. Why so much British-woven fabric still goes offshore for garment production. What a genuine British procurement policy for military uniforms could look like. The challenge of…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I visited Laxtons Yarns in Baildon, Yorkshire, a fourth generation family spinning mill that is now employee-owned. I was given a full tour of the mill floor by commercial director Carly Smith and national accounts manager Rochelle Tracey, before sitting down with them to talk about British wool, the future of the business and the exciting relaunch of their hand knitting range. Laxtons spin worsted and fancy yarns for hand knitting, machine knitting and weaving. Their Sheepsoft yarn is a blend of Blue Faced Leicester and Masham British wool and travels less than 50 miles from fleece to finished yarn. Almost the entire workforce is women. In this episode we cover: Behind the scenes of how the fibre is spun into yarn. How Laxtons became employee owned in 2024 and what that means for the future of the business in Yorkshire. Why 52% of everything Laxtons spins is now British wool, and how that has grown. The relaunch of their hand knitting range as Bramble & Fleece.…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I take a trip to the beautiful Essex countryside to visit knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney in her micro factory, where she designs, programmes, knits, and finishes her collection in house. We talk about the realities of owning your own industrial knitting machine - from learning to keep the yarn and machine happy, to breaking needles in tears and coming out the other side. We also hear about Genevieve's mission to revive the almost forgotten art of hand Intarsia, a knitting technique synonymous with Scottish knitwear. About Genevieve Sweeney Genevieve Sweeney is a knitwear designer and maker based in Essex. Known for her distinctive use of colour, texture and geometric patterning, Genevieve works with natural fibres including Lambswool and naturally-dyed Merino. You can find Genevieve and Genevieve Sweeney at: Website: genevievesweeney.com Instagram: @genevievesweeney Genevieve forst appeared on the Make it British Podcast in Episode 39 in March 2019. You can…

🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply In this episode I'm sharing the recording of a recent webinar I ran - 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer. Learn my signature 5 Step Factory Readiness Method™ which has helped hundreds of small business owners to get their products made in the UK. Find out why manufacturers don't get back to you (and how to make sure you get a reply). Why sampling costs can spiral out of control and how to avoid it. What a tech pack is, why you need one and how to create a tech pack quickly and easily without using a designer. If you are trying to get a product made in the UK and want a clear, practical framework to follow without making costly mistakes, this episode will give you exactly that. In this episode you will also hear me mention a cost price calculator that I have developed. Try the Cost…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys from Fashion Roundtable. Harriet is the project lead for The Great British Wool Revival and is also working with the King's Foundation on an event in May 2026 to promote the use of British wool. If you're a designer, maker or brand wanting to work with British wool but not sure where to start, the Great British Wool Revival is the resource you need to know about. It maps the entire wool supply chain from sheep to spinning, dyeing, knitting and weaving and Harriet is here to walk us through exactly how to use it. In this episode we cover: What The Great British Wool Revival is and how to use it to find farms, spinners, dyers and manufacturers near you How to plan a traceable British wool supply chain from scratch, and why you should allow a full year from first conversation to finished product How to get around minimum order quantities by pairing up with other small designers Why the website is already being used in 80…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Isabelle Randall, a fashion designer and tailor based in Scarborough, Yorkshire, who has been running her own label for over 21 years. Isabelle works in British tweeds and wool fabrics, making everything bespoke in her atelier. We talk about the Yorkshire mills she loves working with, her tailoring process, and why her bespoke approach keeps customers coming back again and again. We also get into what it feels like, as a designer who makes everything herself, to hand over the responsibility of production to a manufacturer for the first time. In this episode we cover: Which Yorkshire mills Isabelle works with and why she chooses British tweeds and wool fabrics How her bespoke tailoring process works from initial consultation to finished garment Why her made-to-order approach builds long-term customer loyalty What it's really like to hand over production to a manufacturer when you've always made everything yourself Why holding out for customers who…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Louisa Knapp, Marketing Executive at British Wool. Based in Bradford, British Wool operates as a farmers' cooperative that collects, grades, and auctions fleece for around 35,000 sheep farmers across the UK. Whether you’re a designer wondering how to source British wool or you’re just curious about what happens to a fleece after it’s sheared, you’re going to love this episode. In this episode we cover: How the British Wool cooperative operates and makes it easy for brands to use traceable wool. The British wool supply chain and how new digital systems making it easier to track wool back to the farm. Why wool is a wonderful fibre and how British Wool are pushing up the price the farmer's receive for their fleece. Launching new regional labels to guarantee Scottish and Welsh wool traceability. About British Wool British Wool is a member-led organisation that handles the collection, grading, and marketing of UK fleece to support 35,000 farmers. They…

In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Kate Stalker, founder of OUBAS Knitwear. Kate runs a knitwear micro factory in the Lake District, where she designs and manufactures fully fashioned knitwear using natural fibres, including British wool. After studying knitwear at Winchester School of Art, she returned to Cumbria and started the business with a single hand flat knitting machine in her parents’ utility room. Today OUBAS produces knitwear on industrial knitting machines, with everything knitted, linked and finished in house by a small team. The business combines design, manufacturing and small batch production all under one roof. If you’re interested in British wool, knitwear manufacturing or what it takes to run a small clothing factory in the UK, this episode gives a real behind the scenes look at how it works. In this episode we cover: How Kate started OUBAS with one knitting machine and began selling at local markets and craft fairs Why she chose to base the business in the Lake…

In this first episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Dee McGilvray, founder of CLÒ FOLD. Dee has launched a womenswear brand built entirely around 100 percent British traceable wool. In just five months, alongside a full time job, she has taken an idea rooted in farming and the British countryside and turned it into a finished product made entirely in the UK. Her first piece is a wool gilet woven in Yorkshire using traceable wool sourced through British Wool. Every part of the supply chain, from farm to finished garment, has been kept in Britain. This isn’t just a story about launching a fashion brand. It’s about supporting farmers, restoring value to British wool and building a genuinely local supply chain. In this episode we cover: Why so much British wool goes to waste and why farmers are often paid very little for it How Dee built a fully traceable supply chain starting with British Wool What traceable wool actually means and how customers can scan a QR code to see which farms their garment…

Series 8 of the Make it British podcast is here! After many of you asked, “Where’s the podcast gone?”, it's coming back with a brand-new themed series: Women in Wool. Over the past few months, I've been recording interviews behind the scenes. As the conversations unfolded, a clear thread emerged. Every guest was a woman. And every one of them was working with the same fibre - Wool. This new series shines a spotlight on the women driving innovation, craftsmanship and revival across the UK wool supply chain – from farming and spinning to weaving, knitting and manufacturing. 🐑 Why Wool? Why Now? The UK textile industry was built on wool. Entire towns, trades and skills grew around it, yet over recent decades, wool has been pushed aside by cheaper synthetic fibres. Now, the tide is starting to turn. Recent cultural moments have helped bring wool back into the spotlight: The 'Traitors effect' with Claudia Winkleman’s tartans, tweeds and knits dominating headlines. The Princess of Wales visiting Welsh mill Melin…

🚀 Want to join British Brand Accelerator? Apply here: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply Got a question before applying? DM me on Instagram: @makeitbritish

Not all factories are created equal! And if you’re contacting 20 different manufacturers hoping one will say yes — you're doing it the hard way. In this episode of MANUFACTURING SOS, I’m talking about one of the most common mistakes I see when people start looking for a UK manufacturer: assuming every factory can make every kind of product. You’ll learn why factory specialisms matter, how MOQs and capacity make a difference, and what you actually need to look for when shortlisting a manufacturer. I’ll also share why I took down my free directory of UK manufacturers and the surprising truth about what manufacturers really said about being in it. ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube Listen now to find out: 🏭 Why not every factory with a sewing machine is right for your product 🧵 What kind of research you really need to do before reaching out 🛑 The red flag that means a manufacturer isn’t a good fit 🍷 What looking for a factory partner and choosing a wine having in common! Get a copy of my UK Manufacturers List ▶️…

In this episode in the MANUFACTURING SOS series, I’m breaking down why placing a big order with your manufacturer, especially on your first production run with them, can be a costly mistake. You’ll learn why it’s always smarter to treat your first production run as a test, how to avoid tying up all your money in stock, and how to respond when a manufacturer insists on high MOQs. If you’re at the stage of placing your first order with a factory, or wondering how many units to start with, don’t miss this one. ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube 🎧 Listen now to find out: 📦 Why ordering big on your first run is rarely a good idea 🧪 How to treat your first production like a product test 👚 How to avoid ending up with stock you can’t sell ⭐️ Why less really is more when you're building a UK-made brand 🎧 Subscribe to the Make it British podcast so you don’t miss the rest of this special MANUFACTURING SOS series Get my Range Plan Template Here ▶️ Watch the full series on YouTube 🚀 Ready to scale your UK-made brand?…

Think tech packs are optional? Or that your manufacturer can just "sort it for you"? Think again. In this episode of Manufacturing SOS, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you don’t have a proper tech pack, and why skipping this step is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. You’ll learn why a tech pack is your blueprint, not just a boring admin task, and how trying to wing it will cost you more in sampling, quality control, and wasted materials. I’m also busting the myth that you need to spend thousands on a designer to create one – and showing you what to include (in plain English). Whether you’ve been told you don’t need one, or you’ve been avoiding it because it sounds too techy, this episode is your wake-up call. ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube Listen now to find out: 🧵 What a tech pack actually is and why it matters 💸 How skipping it costs you money, time, and control 🧠 Why pay £100s to get one made 📋 What to include in a tech pack (and how to keep it simple) 🎧 Subscribe to the Make…

What UK Manufacturers Really Think When You Ask About Price If the first thing you ask a factory is “How much?” — you’re not alone. But it might explain why you’re not getting the response you hoped for. In this episode of Manufacturing SOS, I’m unpacking what actually happens when you lead with price, and why it’s one of the fastest ways to put off the best manufacturers. You’ll learn how to work backwards from a realistic retail price, how to spot when your margins just don’t add up, and what to do before you ever ask for a quote. You’ll also get a reality check on what it really costs to make something in the UK — and why bartering isn’t a strategy. If you want to be taken seriously by UK factories and avoid wasting everyone’s time (including your own), this episode is for you. ▶️ Watch this video on YouTube Listen now to find out: 💸 Why asking for price too soon makes you look unprepared 🧮 How to calculate a realistic target cost price 🧵 Why most founders get their garment costings completely wrong 📉…

If your inbox is full of unanswered emails to factories, it's not personal. It's a sign you're making critical mistakes that scream 'newbie'. In this first episode in this special series MANUFACTURING SOS I’m diving into one of the most common frustrations I hear from founders - that they've contacted manufacturers and no one got back to them. Sound familiar? Before you assume UK manufacturers are just ignoring you, you need to hear this. I’m sharing the real reasons factories hit delete, including vague enquiries, missing tech packs, and the one thing they’ll always check before replying to you. You’ll also hear a cautionary tale about what happens when you work with a so-called UK manufacturer that turns out to be a middleman. Spoiler: it nearly cost one founder £30k. If you want to stop wasting time and make sure you’re actually factory-ready, this episode is for you. ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube Listen now to find out: 🚩 What red flags instantly tell a manufacturer you're not ready 👻 The mistake that…

Brand New Mini Series Coming Soon: Manufacturing SOS After a year-long hiatus, the Make It British Podcast is coming back! Series 7 is currently in the works, but while you wait, I’ve got something special for you… Introducing a brand new mini series called Manufacturing SOS. This special series is for anyone who’s starting or scaling a clothing, accessories or homeware brand and wants to get their products made in the UK without wasting time, money or losing their mind in the process. Each episode is short and straight to the point. And in my usual no-nonsense style, I’ll be breaking down the most common manufacturing mistakes I see brands make, and how to avoid them. These are the things I hear the same mistakes I hear again and again during the hundreds of conversations I’ve had with brand founders over the last few years. They’re also the things I know UK manufacturers wish more brands understood before they reached out. Some of the mistakes I’ll be sharing might already be painfully familiar. But…

Finding a UK manufacturer doesn’t have to be a challenge! In this bonus episode, I share the recording of my recent webinar, where I break down the 5 essential steps to finding your perfect manufacturing partner. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why manufacturers don’t respond to emails—and how to fix it. The biggest mistakes small businesses make when looking for a factory. How to prepare before reaching out to a manufacturer to save time and money. The 5 steps you need to follow to confidently approach the right manufacturing partner. Why finding a manufacturer isn’t just about Googling names—and what to do instead. Resources & Links Mentioned: Join Get Set for Manufacturing: In just 4 weeks, learn exactly how to get your products made in the UK and find your perfect manufacturing partner. Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

Welcome to episode 300! Celebrating the 300th episode of this podcast I look back at some of the amazing guests that I've had on this show from the world of UK fashion and textile manufacturing. Manufacturers that have shared their stories, their challenges, and their successes with us. Episodes / Manufacturers featured in this episode: Episode 102 - David Collinge | John Spencer Textiles Episode 005 - Keith Hanshaw | The Leather Satchel Company Episode 088 - Chris Woodford | Crown Northampton Episode 193 - Ian Maclean | John Smedley MBE Episode 55 - Lance Mitchell | Mitchell Interflex Episode 113 - Ruth Masson | Harris Tweed Episode 290 - Christopher Nieper | David Nieper OBE Episode 96 - Richard Ince | Ince Umbrellas Episode 004 - Jo Ashburner-Farr | Red Dragon Flagmakers Episode 254 - Chris Childs | Contrado Episode 21 - Jenny Holloway | Fashion Enter Episode 31 - Mick Cheema | Basic Premier Episode 299 - A visit to Vagabond bags with Simon Michelson Episode 118 - David Williams | Stoll GB Episode 203 -…

Join me on a tour round a factory! In this episode I'm chatting with Simon Michelson, owner of Vagabond Bags, a sewing factory in Swindon that makes cosmetic bags, shower caps and hot water bottle covers. Meet some of the people working in the factory, hear about the jobs they do and find out how many shower hats one person can make in a day. Spoiler - it's quite a lot! HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand. Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on making in the UK Make it British Website YouTube Instagram Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

I'm joined today by 3 amazing people that work tirelessly in the UK fashion and textile industry. You may have seen in the press recently that several high profile brands have been affected by the close of Matches, but did you know about the knock on affect that has had on the UK manufacturers? I also heard yesterday the sad news that the Mackintosh factory in Lancashire is closing. What the heck is going on? So I went live on Instagram with 3 special guests to discuss the topic, and this episode is your opportunity to hear the full discussion if you missed the live. My guests are: Tamara Cincik from think tank Fashion Roundtable Mustafa Fuat from Gosha London Diana Kakkar from Maes London Some of the keys points we discussed: How the Matches collapse has impacted local manufacturers. The financial instability of fashion brands. Why the industry needs to be regulated. How other countries support their local production. How public procurement buying British could help the entire industry. The grants and tax…

The title says it all. Listen to find out what it is! HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand. Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on making in the UK Make it British Website YouTube Instagram Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

Join me on a visit to KC Manufacturing (previously Kalopsia Collective) in Dumferline, Scotland to meet with husband and wife team Adam Robertson and Nina Falk. KC Manufacturing is a social enterprise specialising in small batch manufacturing. Discover: How Adam & Nina met and ended up setting up their business. What it's like to run a factory together as husband and wife. Why 'made in Scotland' is so important. How KC Manufacturing are supporting other UK textile firms. The challenges of working with deadstock materials. Where Adam & Nina got the funding to set up their factory. How they get young people to work in the industry. About KC Manufacturing KC Manufacturing website Episode 51 - Small Batch Manufacturing with Adam Robertson, Kalopsia Collective. HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand. Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on. making in the UK Make it British Website YouTube Instagram Mentioned in this episode:…

Regular listeners to this podcast will know that I am all about encouraging brands to manufacture locally. But in some cases, it might not make good sense to do so. In this episode I explain the 4 reasons why you might NOT want to make in the UK. Want my advice on whether your product should or could be made here? Reach out to my with a direct message on Instagram @makeitbritish here HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand. Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on. making in the UK Make it British Website YouTube Instagram Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

One of the questions that came up on one of our recent British Brand Accelerator group coaching calls was so good, I thought I'd bring it to you on the podcast this week. The question was about whether a small business that makes in the UK should be offering a discount when someone opts in to their newsletter, and whether this strategy works. It opened a whole discussion amongst the group about the pros and cons of discounting and other ideas for getting potential customers to sign up to your newsletter. So if you are wondering the same thing about discounting, this episode is for you! Sign up the the British Brand Accelerator waitlist here - www.makeitbritish.co.uk/waitlist Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

This week I’m bringing some very sad news - that the UK’s only cotton spinning mill, English Fine Cottons, which brought cotton spinning back to Greater Manchester in 2018, has very sadly gone into administration. In case you don’t know about the history of English Fine Cottons, it was set up by the technical textile spinners Culimeta-Saveguard, who invested £4.8m of its own money, £2m of which was a loan from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to regenerate a former Victorian cotton mill and install new technology to create luxury yarn. A further £1m was awarded as a grant by the N Brown Textile Growth Programme. English Fine Cottons was the start of something very exciting in UK manufacturing, and for this to have happened is tragic. The collapse into administration is caused by the parent group Culimeta-Saveguard going down, and unfortunately that has taken the cotton spinning down with it. Something needs to be done to save our only cotton spinning mill, otherwise this is history repeating…

Today's guests are Andrea and David Courtney from Courtney & Co buttonmakers Back in 2012 I was contacted by someone who was trying to save the UK’s last remaining horn button maker - Grove & Sons. He was looking for investors to buy up the machinery and pattern books from the business so that the art of natural button making in the UK was not lost. Well it turns out that the investor that this guy eventually found was someone called David Courtney, who saw an ad to buy the machinery and patterns, and decided that he wanted to help. But things are never as easy as the seem, and this initial investment took David Courtney down a very long and winding path to bring button making back to the UK. Over a decade later and David Courtney now has an amazing button-making factory in the Cotswolds, with state of the art machinery, producing buttons from 3 different types of materials. He’s also enlisted his lovely wife Andrea to head the factory up, and they now supply the most beautiful buttons to brands and…

This episode celebrates 15 years since I registered the domain makeitbritish.co.uk and busts some of the myths about UK manufacturing. You'll find out: Why I started Make it British and why I'm such a firm believer in UK manufacturing. The current UK manufacturing landscape. How the UK fashion and textile industry is made up of 1,000s of micro factories. How many garment factories there really are in the UK. The benefits of making in the UK. And why supply on demand is best done locally. To see the video recording of this talk, go to makeitbritish.co.uk/microfactories Want to work together? Fill in this form so I can find out more about your business goals, and I'll get back to you with ways I can help. Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator