There have long been many misconceptions around manufacturing locally - that it is extortionately more expensive than offshoring, and that factories are both few and far between, and challenging to find. However, more and more frequently, brands are starting to notice the benefits of manufacturing locally and are bringing their production back to where they are based.
In this Masterclass we look at the difficulties some brands may face with local manufacturing, bust some myths about the downsides of producing locally, and help guide you to find the best manufacturers for you. We also look at how to source raw materials locally, and the numerous upsides to this.
In this Masterclass you will learn:
- The benefits of manufacturing locally
- How to find a manufacturer, and the do's and don't's for working with them
- How to use the "Made in the UK" story to boost your business
- Case studies of brands who have successfully reshored
- Sourcing wool regionally in New York state, and how to go about finding your own suppliers
- What it takes to establish an in-house brand with made to order business model
- How to approach and work with heritage manufacturers
- The challenges of building a business based on working with artisans and scaling up artisan production
- Tips for sourcing raw materials and production overseas
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Manufacturing Locally - The Pros and Cons, and Best Practices
with Kate HillsSummary
Kate Hills is the Founder of Make it British & Make it British Live.
Kate launched the website in 2011 to encourage more people to buy British and make in the UK. Since then, the platform has become the go-to for news, reports and interviews about British-made products.
In 2014, Kate launched "Make it British Live!" which is a unique trade show that prides itself on being the only sourcing event exclusively showcasing British manufacturers and producers.
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How to Work with Local Manufacturers and Use it to Boost Your Business
with Simon MiddletonSummary
Simon Middleton is the founder of the Shackleton brand and a new menswear business, Blackshore. Simon left Shackleton in September 2016, supposedly with early retirement in mind, but got restless and dreamt up a new made-in-Britain menswear brand, called Blackshore. He is also the author of three books, including Build a Brand in 30 Days. Simon runs us through working with local manufacturers, and the importance of telling the story.
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Managing the Higher Cost of Manufacturing Locally
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Is it really cheaper to manufacture overseas? Often, companies jump into 'cheap' manufacturing overseas, without considering the myriad of hidden costs, and the difficulties this may pose to quality assurance. Here, we discuss the various benefits of reshoring your production in regards to price and quality control.
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Sourcing Local Raw Materials
with Laura SansoneSummary
Laura Sansone is a textile designer, activist, and consultant. She is the creator of Textile Lab, a design and consulting company that supports environmentally responsible textile methods, and regional systems of production. Laura is currently an Assistant Professor of Textiles at Parsons The New School For Design. She has developed initiatives that bring NY designers and farmers together to create products that have social and environmental value. Textile Lab’s NYS Regional Textile Initiative is a collection of locally sourced and produced yarns and textiles. It links apparel, product and interior designers to the regional network of farms and fibre processing mills; including spinning, weaving and knitting. This initiative is recognised internationally as a significant economic revitalisation effort on the East Coast of the US. Also, she has designed woven textiles for the following companies: Maharam, New York, NY, American Silk Mills, New York, NY and Burlington House Fabrics, New York, NY.
In this video, we discuss the launch of the New York State Regional Yarn SourceBook which, as the name suggests, promotes yarns and fibres from New York State farms. It’s both a reference book for design professionals to source materials and a means to connect farmers, mills and designers in a single resource.
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How to Find Local Manufacturers
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
Finding a manufacturer can be difficult, especially when trying to find one locally that fits your needs. It takes a lot of research and investigation to find a producer that will manufacture your type of product and in the minimums that work for you, and then more time to form a relationship with one. And after all that, they may decide that you’re not the right fit for them!
In this video, we'll explore the different ways to begin your search for local manufacturers, to get you off to a flying start.
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Manufacturing In-House and Made-To-Order
with Paris HodsonSummary
This is a 23 minute interview with Paris Hodson, founder of womenswear brand STALF. Named after her grandparents, Stella and Alf, Paris established STALF out of a frustration with how disconnected the fashion industry is. Based in the Lincolnshire Wolds in the UK, they make all of their items to order - by hand in the traditional factory sense. Here, we talk to Paris about growing Stalf, how they established their business model, and overcoming some of the challenges she has faced with her business.
Interviews
Sipahi & Co: Working with producers in the UK leather industry
Sunday Oct 1st, 2017
Ellen Rock: Collaborating with artisans across the globe
Monday Apr 1st, 2019
Technical Tutorials
Fabrics: Wild Rubber from the Amazon
Sunday Jul 1st, 2018
Everything You Need To Know About Linen
Friday Nov 1st, 2019
Heritage Craft Practice: Oak Coppicing, Swilling and Weaving
Sunday Dec 1st, 2019
The History and Sustainability of Nettle Fibre
Sunday Nov 1st, 2020
Additional Links:
Hazardous chemical substances in textiles
Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Guidelines for Brands and Retailers
bluesign® system substances list (BSSL) Consumer safety limits
Common Objective - list of suppliers
Follow on Masterclasses:
Understanding Responsible Wool Production
Additional Reading
Building A British Fibreshed And Its Benefit For Fashion
Friday Jul 3rd, 2020
What is Fast Fashion doing to the planet, its people, and our state of mind?
Sunday Feb 9th, 2020
Piecemakers: London's Fashion Manufacturers
Friday Jan 24th, 2020
What is Fast Fashion and Why Is It Still So Popular?
Monday Jan 20th, 2020
Sustainable Fashion Milestones from the 2010s
Monday Jan 13th, 2020
Eco producers, manufacturers and innovators at Première Vision September 2019
Monday Sep 30th, 2019
Tips for attending fabric trade shows like Première Vision
Monday Sep 30th, 2019
The sustainable brands redefining luxury with made-to-order business models
Monday Sep 16th, 2019
Recycling for Fashion: Should We Give Plastics a Second Chance?
Monday Jul 22nd, 2019
The Rise of Fashion's Obsession with Plastic Fibres
Monday Jul 8th, 2019