The Houses of Parliament hosted the launch of a new group set up to support Leicester’s textiles sector and help ensure companies working in it are ethical and sustainable.
The Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) was formally launched inside Westminster Palace to help businesses within the city and wider region and act as a voice for suppliers.
While the vast majority of businesses look after their workforce, Leicester’s reputation over the years has been tarnished by reports of some textiles factories exploiting their workforces. The new federation – formed with the help of worker rights' charity Justice in Fashion – will support the garment supply chain with compliance, auditing and the safeguarding of jobs.
There are around 1,500 textiles, knitting and garment businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire, the second biggest concentration in the 海角视频 outside of Manchester. As well as in the city – particularly around the Belgrave area – there are concentrations in the county towns of Hinckley, Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Loughborough.
In recent months online fashion store Boohoo has invested millions in a 23,000 sq ft factory in Thurmaston Lane, Leicester, which has capacity to make tens of thousands of garments a year, and the technology to produce made with customised prints to individual shoppers’ specifications.
The ATMF was founded by Sajjad Khan, managing director of Leicester ladieswear manufacturer Aristec, who hopes the federation will promote ‘Brand Leicester’ under the MADE IN 海角视频 umbrella.
He said: “We are delighted that the 海角视频 Government is recognising our efforts in Leicester and further afield, to support textile and apparel manufacturers.
“It is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to launch the Federation at the House of Commons, and this only adds to the gravitas of our mission.
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“We already have the backing of a large number of businesses from across the supply chain so we know there is a very real need to create a strong supplier voice.
“We have also drawn support locally from senior level organisations including Leicester City Council, De Montfort University and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.”
ATMF member Shehzad Valli is managing director of another Leicester garment manufacturer, Envy Collections. He said: “The launch of the ATMF marks a significant milestone in the revitalisation of the textiles sector in Leicester.
“We want the city to be at the forefront of national gains for the industry, and we’re determined to make that happen. We are now calling on the 海角视频 Government, national and international bodies, and major brands to support our efforts.”
Leicester deputy city mayor Coun Adam Clarke, has been working to bring partners together in the city to help tackle problems in the garment industry, including helping set up of the Leicester Labour Market, and investing £300,000 in a new fashion technology academy, run by Fashion-Enter, to increase skills and best practice.
He said: "The mobilising of manufacturers as a meaningful voice for the textiles sector has been an aspiration for some time and is a huge step forward.
“I congratulate all those involved for stepping up and showing such leadership, particularly during these challenging times.
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“Leicester's strong heritage in garment manufacturing puts the city in a great position to lead a resurgence in the industry – but this can only be done ethically by working together.
“This innovative new federation is a vital building block as we embed Leicester as a place offering well-paid, highly-skilled jobs, producing amazing garments in quality working environments."
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