Make it British Podcast

Latest Episodes:

105 – The Making of Pantherella Socks – Justin Hall, Pantherella Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Pantherella was founded in 1937 and has been making high quality, lightweight socks in Leicester ever since.

I took a trip to the Pantherella factory to meet the current MD, Justin Hall and to find out about how the socks are made.

Shownotes with videos and images from my factory tour can be found at www.makeitbritish.co.uk/105

More Pantherella

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British Brand Accelerator

104 – How we can solve the skills issue post-Brexit – Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

Tamara Cincik has over 20 years experience in the fashion industry and is the founder of Fashion Roundtable, the secretariat for The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Textiles and Fashion.

Fashion Roundtable supports the diverse voices of the fashion industry, and provides a much needed link between fashion, business, consumers and policy leaders.

In this episode Tamara discusses the challenges that Brexit poses to the fashion industry, particularly to manufacturers looking for skilled staff. It is estimated that up to 50% of garment workers in the UK come from overseas. If these skilled machinists cannot get visas to come to the UK post-Brexit it will pose a real threat to the ability for UK factories to keep up with the current rise in demand.

Tamara, through her work with the APPG, has set out the case for changes to visa policy which would allow these skilled workers from the EU to work in the textile industry in the UK post-Brexit.

But we need as many people as possible to get behind it and write to their MP to let them know that this is an issue before it's too late. Please take a moment to write to your local MP - your voice matters, and they have to act on anything you send to them! Find the details of your local MP to write to

Example letter to write to your MP More about Fashion Roundtable

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Mentioned in this episode:

British Brand Accelerator

103 – What does a manufacturer include in a cost price? Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

What does a manufacturer include - and NOT include - in a cost price?

In this episode I breakdown what you can expect a manufacturer to take into account when they quote you a price.

And how to make sure that there a no nasty surprises when you get your final bill.

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British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand

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Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers

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Mentioned in this episode:

British Brand Accelerator

102 – How does a textile mill thrive in 2020? David Collinge, John Spencer Textiles Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

David Collinge runs the the Burnley-based weaving business John Spencer Textiles.

He is the sixth generation owner of the mill which, was originally founded by his great great great grandfather 150 years ago.

I love David’s story because it is one of survival. It epitomises why some UK manufacturers have remained and flourished whilst many others fell by the wayside.

John Spencer textiles was once one of a 190 weaving mills in Burnley, Lancashire, which between them had over 100,000 looms at their peak. John Spencer owned 2442 of those - that's a LOT of looms!

They originally wove cotton base cloths which would be used for printing fabrics for womenswear, but it was the fact that when such cotton base cloths ‘or Burnley printers’ as they were known, started to be imported from cheaper sources such as India, John Spencer Textiles looked at other ways to use their looms that were less reliant on fashion and price.

They now weave a huge variety of different fibres and fabrics which go into a diverse range of products from blankets, curtains and cushions, to baby slings, artist canvases, even parachutes and parts for nuclear submarines.

It’s this ability to adapt and move the business with the times that has enabled John Spencer Textiles to thrive into the 21st Century. In this interview David talks about their plans for the future and how he sees UK textiles evolving in the coming years.

John Spencer Textiles

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British Brand Accelerator

101 – Nine Manufacturing Trends for 2020 and Beyond Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

What will 2020 hold for UK manufacturing?

In the first episode of the year, and the new series, I look at some of the trends that I think will impact manufacturing in the coming 12 months.

What's changed since this time last year?

And what is the single biggest thing that will impact UK manufacturers and brands that make in the UK?

Listen to this episode to hear my predictions - and let me know if you think I've missed anything out!

Make it British Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

The Manufacturer

Future Fashion Factory

AW Hainsworth

Unmade

Christopher Raeburn

Blackhorse Lane Atelier

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Blackshore

Mentioned in this episode:

British Brand Accelerator

Introducing Series 2 of the Make it British podcast Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

We're back!

Series 2 of the Make it British Podcast begins on Tuesday 7th January.

You can expect to hear loads more tips and tricks for making in the UK, along with interview with UK manufacturers - and a few factory tours thrown in for good measure.

In the meantime, if you're looking to launch a brand made in the UK in 2020 join our Get Set for Manufacturing Challenge - and be factory-ready in just 5 days!

Meet UK manufacturers and get your whole supply chain sewn up at Make it British Live! on 17 & 18 March 2020.

BONUS: 6 Reasons why UK-made gifts are more sustainable Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Have you bought your Christmas gifts yet?

Well, if you haven't, stop right there.

Before you get bombarded by all the Black Friday deals, listen to this episode of the Make it British podcast and find out why buying a British made Christmas gift is more sustainable.

This is a bonus Christmas episode.

Series 2 of the Make it British Podcast starts in January.

Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don't miss it!

Mentioned in this episode:

British Brand Accelerator

100 – 10 Things that make British-made businesses great Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

In this episode I look back over the first 100 episodes of this show to find out what makes British-made businesses great.

There are many common themes running running through the last 100 episodes and that I've heard again and again from those I've interviewed.

Here are the 10 things that make British-made businesses great:

UK manufacturers are partners to the businesses they make for Katya Wildman (Ep 10), Sian Reekie (23), Tom Glover (72)
Transparency is integral to their supply chainJenny Holloway (21), Adam Robertson (51), Sophie Slater (94)
Sustainability is at the forefront of everything they doIan Maclean (12), Mick Cheema (31)
They are finding different ways to reach the customer James Eden (2)
Many of them are family businessesEdward Sexton (12), Martin Lowe (47), Peter Phillips (54), Lance Mitchell (55), Chris Woodford (88)
Authenticity is important to themSimon Middleton (074)
Craftsmanship is worth preservingKeith Hanshaw (6), Genevieve Sweeney (39), Kate Dawson (64), Jenny Holloway (21), Barbara Burton (70)
Quality is at their coreAndy Ogden (33), Tony Kelly (77), Joel Chudleigh (82), Richard Ince (96), Elaine Stewart (92)
It's not about the moneyHebtroco (68), Heraldic Pottery (84)
They wouldn't manufacture anywhere else!Katherine Hooker (35), Tori Murphy (61)

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099 – Should raw materials come from the UK to call a product British? Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

There is a lot of confusion about the labelling of products.

Can we truly call something 'made in the UK' if the raw materials are from overseas?

As the traceability of a product's supply chain is becoming increasingly important more and more people are questioning just how authentic a 'made in Britain' product can be if its raw materials are imported.

Find out how the origin of raw materials affect the provenance of a product and what really determines a truly British product.

Stay in Touch

British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand

Make it British website

Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers

Make it British on Instagram

Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos.

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098 – From Artist to Bespoke Gift Business – Corinne Lewis-Ward, Powder Butterfly Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Corinne Lewis-Ward is an artist and designer who is the founder of Powder Butterfly; a design studio that creates a range of British contemporary homeware gifts.

Corinne was trained as a photography and has used her love of British landmarks to create a unique, and very British range of products. Living in Newcastle she started with a range that celebrated the Angel of the North, which she prints onto products such as tea towels, pottery and coasters.

Since then her range has expanded to include London landmarks as well producing bespoke and corporate gifts. When she first started the business she knew nothing about manufacturing, and only wanted to make small quantities. She started with a few manufacturing firms who were willing to make small quantities for her, and who have since become valued and trusted manufacturing partners.

Corinne is a great example of how to start a product business with no previous experience in product development, but with just a great idea and a positive attitude!

More about Powder Butterfly

Stay in Touch

British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand

Make it British website

Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers

Make it British on Instagram

Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos.