First established in 1837, our historic woollen mill is based within the idyllic landscapes of Yorkshire. By fusing traditional craftsmanship and technologies, we continually strive to create authentic and ethically made wool fabrics and accessories for leading fashion brands and interior designers worldwide.
We are proud to be a British manufacturer that utilises such an eco-friendly material. Wool is a 100% natural fibregrown annually on a blend of grass and water.
Paired with our continued efforts towards responsible sourcing, waste and resource management, we strive to continually improve our commitment to innovation to deliver products of the highest ethical quality.
As a vertical woollen mill, we have the unique versatility to control all processes of fabric manufacturing under one roof. From when the raw wool enters our mill, to the yarn production, to the weaving and finishing of the fabric - all are meticulously managed by our fantastic in-house team to produce our beautiful high-quality fabrics. Within this section, you will find an overview of all processes we manage within our mill.
Raw wool of the highest quality is delivered to our site from all over the world.
DYEHOUSE
Using precise combinations of dye, pressure, temperature and time, our dyehouse is capable of producing over 500 different shades.
BLENDING
Essential to producing soft, smooth fabrics - the carding process combs and teases fibres into a uniform colourway.
SPINNING
Combining a potential of up to 7 different shades into in single blend, our blending process adds unique character and rich texture to our yarn.
CARDING
Spinning applies a precise number of twists per inch to the wool, resulting in a fine but strong thread ideal for a wide range of uses.
TWISTING
Twists are then inserted into each thread after the spinning process and packaged into spools of yarn.
WARPING
Cones of yarn are wound over a drum in a precise order of colour depending on the pattern required - all accurately checked and maintained by hand.
WEAVING
Capable of weaving up to 30,000m of cloth per week - our weaving process is where our many different yarns are intricately woven together.
MENDING
Each piece of fabric is meticulously inspected to ensure the highest quality. If any fault is found, they are masterfully corrected by hand.
SCOURING
Once we are happy with the quality of the fabric, it will undergo Scouring to remove any remaining impurities - ready for finishing.
FINISHING
Finishing is the final step in our fabric creation - imparting the desired ‘handle’ into each and every fabric, fit for their final purpose.
Warp yarns are collected on specialised beams off the warping machines.
The Bore hole which provides our source of water within our mill.
Wastage
We meticulously sort all waste that moves through our mill to ensure proper disposal - from cardboard and paper recycling, to capturing loose fibre and waste selvedge and sending it off to be properly recycled.
Investment
We are continually investing in our machinery to ensure efficiency in production and energy usage. Within the last five years, we have invested in:
• A state of the art Karl Mayer Warping machine.
• New Cimi Finishing Scourers.
• New Staubli Drawing-in Machines.
• New Dornier Looms.
• A new Polar Winding Machine.
Energy & Water
We are mindful of our impact on the resources required for fabric production, and continually strive to improve our processes. We already have a number of energy-saving initiatives in place:
• Our on-site bore hole provides an exclusive source of natural water, which we use within our fabric production.
• 520 solar panels have been installed to support our mill’s electricity requirements.
• Energy efficient LED lighting is installed throughout the mill.
100% Naturally-Occurring & Renewable
Wool is a 100% renewable resource. By consuming a simple blend of grass and water, sheep will produce a new fleece of wool yearly, which is then harvested and sold.
Sheep are also typically farmed on hilly or arid land – areas that would otherwise be unfit for other agricultural use, which helps to ensure a minimised strain on resources and space.
100% Biodegradable
As wool is grown as a by-product on sheep, it is therefore made up of naturally occurring proteins - which can be easily and completely broken down by microorganisms within the soil.
This decomposition process will then release these proteins into the soil, providing valuable nutrients back into the earth.
Wool is a fantastically eco-friendly fibre with impressive inherent properties which make it so versatile in fabrics and highly superior to synthetic alternatives.
Naturally Insulating
Wool can capture and release moisture from its surroundings in response to temperature changes. This allows the fabric to either retain heat or promote cooling, depending on the external temperature.
Naturally Odour & Bacteria
Resistant
Wool is exceptionally efficient at absorbing moisture from the skin and releasing it back into the air. This halts bacteria growth – which typically requires moisture to thrive – and stops the development of odour as a result.
This is in stark contrast to alternative synthetic materials – which often need to be washed more. This is due to their nature to trap and hold onto moisture but without the ability to re-release it - creating the perfect environment for bacteria to grow between the fibres.
Easy to Care for
Wool fibres have a natural “waxy” outer coating, which stops most dirt from being immediately absorbed into the fibres. This provides ample time for any soiling to be wiped away.
Naturally Fire Resistant
Wool has an inherent molecular structure causing it to be naturally resistant to fire. It is, therefore, a highly prevalent material in hotels, aircraft, hospitals, and theatres.
Masterton | New Zealand
During 2019, we were delighted to have the opportunity to visit some of the farmlands within the rolling hills of Masterton, NZ.
New Zealand is one of the countries where we procure our Pure New Wool fibres.
While we typically work through the external accredited body of the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Standard - and our long-term supplier Bloch & Behrens - we were still delighted to undergo this experience and meet the farmers behind the wool.
All of our Pure New Wool is sourced from reputable origins, ensuring ethical handling of the animals and compliance with the five freedoms of animal welfare.
We are part of a number of initiatives - detailed below - in our continued commitment to ethical sourcing for our fabrics.
Animal Welfare - Anti-Mulesing
Mulesing is a farming practice which involves the cutting of wool-growing skin in order to reduce the affliction of parasitic infections and flystrike.
In line with the Animal Welfare Act of 1999, we have ensured all of our NZ Pure New Wool is sourced from reputable origins that do not - and have not everused the practice of Mulesing.
Wool Integrity Programme
We are certified with the Wool Integrity Programme - underpinned by the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Standard. This ensures that all wool we receive through our long-term supplier - Bloch & Behrens - complies with the five freedoms of animal welfare:
• Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition.
• Freedom from discomfort.
• Freedom from pain, injury, or disease.
• Freedom from distress.
• Freedom to express normal behaviour.