Last week, I had the privilege of attending an interesting talk by Kate, from Make it British, at the Institute of Textiles in Chelsea. The discussion centered around the growth of micro factories and manufacturing in the UK, and it was inspiring to hear how this once thriving industry is beginning to flourish once more. With over 4,000 UK factories and counting, signaling a promising future for British manufacturing.
In recent years, there has been a discernible increase in consumer demand for UK-made products. The driving force behind this trend? A growing desire for sustainability and ethical practices, coupled with an appreciation for higher quality and provenance. It's a push against the 'buy big, sell cheap' model that has long dominated the market. This is great news for start up and small brands, who need to differentiate themselves from the masses.
While it's important to remain vigilant against 'greenwashing' and 'Britwashing', UK manufacturing offers tangible benefits. It provides greater supply chain transparency, a smaller environmental footprint, and vital support for local communities and economies. For start-up brands in particular, UK manufacturing presents a host of advantages.
Whilst UK-made products will always struggle to compete on price with their overseas counterparts, they offer invaluable advantages such as speed to market, quick restock options, lower minimum order quantities (MOQs), and enhanced flexibility and customisation. Moreover, proximity to the factory allows for the fostering of close relationships and providing firsthand insight into who makes your garments and the environment they work in. This not only strengthens accountability but also allows small brands to make more informed ethical decisions and create a distinct point of difference to mass produced, cheaper products.
There is still a way to go but I came away from Kate’s talk, feeling optimistic and excited about the growth of UK manufacturing and the potential it has to help for start up fashion brands to thrive.
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