Stanningley firm bucking trend (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Stanningley firm bucking trend

4:23pm Friday 1st August 2008 in Stanningley By Chris Holland, Business Reporter

One of Britain's oldest companies is bucking the economic trend with sales for the last quarter 30 per cent up.

In its 225th anniversary year, woollen firm Hainsworth, which supplied the scarlet cloth for British troops at Waterloo, reports buoyant trading across most of the textile ranges produced at Spring Valley Mills, in Stanningley.

The company's cloths now include protective fabrics for the emergency services and Red Arrows flight crew.

Managing director Tom Hainsworth, who is the eighth generation family member at the helm, says: "We've landed some substantial contracts in recent months and we're continuing to gain share in a number of markets.

"Export sales of our billiard table baize are actually 40 per cent ahead of the same period last year, with strong demand from China and the Far East.

"Meanwhile, demand for our military fabrics continues to grow and sales of our protective clothing fabrics are also growing, particularly in export markets."