The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) will take eight young textile technicians to ITMA 2023 in Milan from 8-14 June, as part of the UKFT Young Textile Technician Education and Travel Bursary Fund. UKFT’s Paula Mcilwraith and Liam Byrne (Textile Membership Manager and Marketing Manager, respectively), will accompany the group to co-ordinate the visit and ensure that the participants gain the relevant knowledge, insight and connections to global technology companies and exhibitors.  

Held every four years, ITMA is the world’s only exhibition to encompass textile machinery across the whole supply chain. It is an unmissable event for the textile industry, as it provides a space for the sector to converge around the latest textile and garment technologies, machinery and materials. ITMA 2023 will focus on advanced materials, innovative technologies, automation and digital future, sustainability and circularity.  

Each of the young textile technicians has received a travel grant covering the travel and accommodation costs incurred to attend ITMA, thanks to the generous support of The Worshipful Company of Weavers, The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and The Worshipful Company of Drapers. 

Participants to the first instalment of the scheme include UK textile companies Alex Begg, AW Hainsworth, British Alpaca Fashion, Camira, DHJ Weisters, G.H. Hurt & Son, John Smedley and Odie Knitwear. 

UKFT is delighted to bring this group of young technicians to Milan, as educating the next generation has never been as important. Technological advances, automation, fibre innovation, sustainable manufacturing practices and transparency across the global supply chain will be key to the future of the fashion and textile industry. 

Young textile technicians and participating companies

AW HAINSWORTH

Amanda McLaren, Managing Director at AW Hainsworth, said: 

“There is no better opportunity for young textile technicians to appreciate the global textile footprint, than an ITMA Exhibition! Having attended five in my own career, I never fail to be blown away by the sheer innovation and inspiration on display. And for one of our own younger team members to have the opportunity to see this first hand, with support from the UKFT Bursary Fund, we feel extremely honoured to have been rewarded this place. I know this will have nothing but a positive impact on our own member of this special group of young textile technicians.” 

BRITISH ALPACA FASHION

ANILA PRESTON, CEO of British Alpaca Fashion, said: 

“I am thrilled that Sami has been selected to attend ITMA as she has a tremendous aptitude for combining all aspects of knitting – design, programming and operations. This opportunity will enable her to have a further insight into the world of textiles and knitwear. It is rare for businesses like ours in rural areas to have exposure for us and our team in the international arena. Thank you UKFT.” 

Sami Jones, Knitwear Technician at British Alpaca Fashion, said:  

“Coming from the hills of Exmoor it is a great privilege to be selected by UKFT to receive a grant to attend ITMA. This opportunity will give me the ability to see the new and upcoming knit technology and techniques in the industry and to further my career as a knitwear technician.” 

CAMIRA 

Colin Sutcliffe, Technical Development Manager at Camira, said: 

“Our young technicians are the future leaders and lifeblood of our industry. It is vital they have an opportunity to grow and develop and within the organisations they work. In a challenging economic climate UKFT’s ITMA Young textile technician bursary fund has been invaluable in facilitating this to make our leaders of tomorrow feel valued and supported today.” 

Lucy Bradshaw, Senior Technical Developer at Camira, said:  

“As a young textile developer, gaining detailed understanding of textile processing is essential for me to be effective within my role. At Camira we work with a range of fibre types, fabric constructions and finishes. I spend a lot of time understanding processes and machinery within our internal processes and that of our suppliers to correlate how this can impact final product performance. Exposure to an exhibition such as ITMA is fundamental in building understanding of available technologies and unlocking possibilities for new innovations.” 

DHJ WEISTERS

Duncan Weisters, Managing Director at DHJ Weisters, said: 

“DHJ Weisters Ltd were delighted to take advantage of the support offered by UKFT and be able to include Lee in our 5-person team visiting ITMA in 2023. We are looking forward to seeing the new range of weaving machines in the market both from existing and new suppliers. It is also an important opportunity for our employees to spend time together in an industry-based environment away from the daily work schedule. UKFT has offered us support on both financial and practical levels.” 

Lee Hargreaves, Weaver and Trainee Overlooker at DHJ Weisters, said:  

“I am looking forward to seeing some new machines and experiencing the atmosphere of a big exhibition. The grant has allowed the company to extend the invitation to me and I am not sure I would have been included without this.” 

G. H. HURT & SON

Richard Taylor, Head of Marketing at G.H. Hurt & Son, said: 

“The UKFT ITMA young technician’s mission to Milan comes at a perfect time for G. H. Hurt & Son and our young knitter James. James has been learning about our knitting machines and production capability, with a view to leading G. H. Hurt & Son’s unique knitted lace manufacturing operations. So, the opportunity to see and learn about other textile & knitting machines and processes, comes at an invaluable time in his development. By travelling with UKFT staff and other young technicians, we are sure James will also learn from others too.” 

James Taylor, Knitting Technician at G.H. Hurt & Son, said: 

“I am excited to be attending the show with other young technicians, it will be a fantastic chance to meet and create connections with other like-minded people at similar points in their careers within this industry. The ITMA show will provide a useful opportunity for me to see what capabilities different machinery have and how they could enable us to develop our products in new ways. I will also get the chance to deepen relations with the machine manufacturers and parts suppliers that we currently work with for both me and on behalf of the wider team at G. H. Hurt & Son.” 

JOHN SMEDLEY

Pip Jenkins, Design Director at John Smedley, said: 

“The UKFT ITMA Young textile technician bursary fund, has enabled us to be able to expose our young technicians to ITMA at an early stage in their career so that they can expand their knowledge of the wider industry, new technology and how we can grow as a business with this knowledge for the future. This is so valuable to us, and we are very grateful for this opportunity to be involved in this with UKFT.”

 

Chelsea Bodell, New Product Development Technician at John Smedley, said: 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to go to ITMA kindly funded by UKFT. I am currently in the product development department at my company, John Smedley, and have been here just over a year. I am expecting to see new technologies for my sector/ industry that will benefit me as a young textile technician. I want to take this opportunity to expand my knowledge and blossom in terms of design, production, and product development. By bringing this invaluable knowledge back, I can help my company flourish into the future.”

ODIE KNITWEAR

Sarah Riley, Director at Odie Knitwear, said:  

“With being based in Shetland travel to and from the isle is costly so when the opportunity came to apply for the YTTF travel bursary fund we had to apply. Our textile technician Bea is a key member of our team, she is always up for learning new things and gets involved in every department of the business. This is a perfect opportunity for her to meet other young textile technicians and learn more about the industry. She is also studying through the open university in Design and Innovation and an experience like ITMA will make a big impact on her work in the company and studies.” 

Beatrice Anderson, Knitwear Technician at Odie Knitwear, said: 

“I am looking forward to seeing all the textile companies and learning more about the different sectors and companies that make our jobs at the factory possible and having a face-to-face opportunity to ask questions and learn more to then apply back home. I think it will be a real eye-opening experience and will allow the opportunity to network with others.” 

About UKFT’s Young Textile Technician Fund

UKFT’s Young Textile Technician Fund is designed to allow businesses across the UK to train their young textile technicians, predominantly in weaving positions. The fund will cover 50% of the costs of in-depth training for young textile technicians, thanks to the generous support of The Worshipful Company of Weavers, The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and The Worshipful Company of Drapers.  

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