ImagesMagUK_Digital-Edition_Nov17

INDUSTRY EVENT

The team on the Rowlinson stand at the Schoolwear Show, with commercial director Neil Ward third from the right

Made for Mud was showing all-in-one suits that are ideal for forest schools – a growing market, says the company’s director, Nick Wallis, who has developed the range along with his wife Katie, founder of the business. Made from hardwearing polycotton, these mini boiler suits feature clever details, such as pleated knees for ease of movement and elasticated cuffs and waistband. The suits can be embroidered and screen printed, and are available in a choice of colourways. www.madeformud.co.uk

On the movewith award-winning Rowlinson Knitwear Rowlinson named Best Supplier of the Year at the Schoolwear Show ahead of its relocation to new modern premises U K schoolwear manufacturer Rowlinson Knitwear had plenty to celebrate at this year’s Schoolwear Show. The big news is that the company is on the these challenges and form a strong foundation from which we can continue to win market share and provide a great place for our staff to work.” The moving-in date is scheduled for 3 December 2017. Speaking about the company’s

The Slim-fit trouser is an enduring trend in retail and its impact continues to be felt in the schoolwear market, hence Zeco’s decision to introduce slim-fit styles for boys and girls, explained Matt Adenwala. www.zecoschoolwear.com

move, having bought new premises for a seven-figure sum thanks to a multi- million funding package from HSBC. The employee-owned company will be relocating 2.6 miles from its current premises to a 76,000 square foot warehouse in Discovery Park, Stockport. The new space, described by marketing manager Carrie Hamer as “awesome”, will give the company some much needed extra room in a more modern environment. It will also give Rowlinson plenty of scope for expansion over the next 10 to 15 years, and will allow it to expand its logistics capabilities, particularly during peak times, as well as provide improved working areas for its 50 staff. Donald Moore, managing director, said: “As our company has grown massively in the last two years, we faced multiple obstacles to growth with our previous two-site set-up. Not only was the small size of the sites restricting our ability to increase our stock, but it was also inefficient as our staff were split between the two. Our new premises will solve

future, Neil Ward, commercial director, commented: “We just need to be better”. This need to be better is a constant mantra at the company and one that all the workforce supports – as an employee-owned company, the staff benefit from a profit share scheme, so doing better directly affects their wallet. Not only that, but depending how customers score the company each year, the staff can also look forward to the prospect of additional holidays. Customers are being surveyed at the moment and currently every member of the Rowlinson workforce is on track to enjoy an additional three days of holiday next year. As well as its new premises and top ranking for customer feedback, Rowlinson was also celebrating its success in the Schoolwear Association’s inaugural awards on Sunday 15 October 2017 where it won Best Supplier of the Year thanks to the company’s sustained growth and service to customers.

On the Charles Kirk stand, Deborah Horton was showing pom poms made on the company’s new pom pom machine. The pom poms are available in a variety of sizes (Deborah, however, recommends small and medium for the schoolwear market, with larger sizes more appropriate for the fashion market), and they can be made in plain, dual or speckled colourways. The pom poms are easy for decorators to attach to beanies, she notes. www.charleskirk.co.uk

26 images NOVEMBER 2017

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