A Bradford textiles company has expanded its operations with the purchase of Huddersfield fine worsted manufacturer Taylor & Lodge.

Bulmer & Lumb, based at a state-of-the-art weaving and finishing plant at Rashcliffe Mills, Buttershaw, has been producing some of the world's finest fabrics for more than 120 years, with 70 per cent of produce heading to leading fashion houses in Japan and Italy.

Its customers include such household names as Brioni, Dunhill, Hugo Boss and Ermenegildo Zegna.

The workforce of 50 includes ten employed in the design and development side of the business to ensure the company maintains its leading position.

Bulmer & Lumb underwent a management buy-out from Allied Textiles in 2002. It supplies wool-based coloured tops, worsted yarns and fabric.

The addition of Taylor & Lodge will push fabric sales to half of turnover and, in many instances, enable the group to supply the world's fashion houses with fabrics woven from dyed tops and yarns produced in the group's UK mills.

Group managing director Bill Waterhouse said: "Our aim is to maintain a strong position in the UK wool textile industry and joining forces with Taylor & Lodge enables us to achieve this.

"All the enlarged group's very experienced workforce knows we will be successful as long as we produce quality, deliver on time, are at the leading edge of design and technology and keep investing in new equipment when we recognise there is an advantage."

Gordon Kaye, managing director of Taylor & Lodge said: "The merger with Bulmer & Lumb Group is a very positive step and will allow us to continue our export success and develop new business in the UK."