For 120 years, Kenneth Mackenzie Ltd has played a leading role in preserving the unique traditions of handwoven Harris Tweed, a textile fabric deeply rooted in the culture and landscape of the Outer Hebrides.

The company was founded in 1906 and since 2019 it has been fully owned and managed by local family Alex Lockerby (Chairman) and daughter Nichola Lockerby (Managing Director). The Mill is a major private sector employer in Lewis & Harris, employing 38 local staff, and  contracting with 58 home-based weavers.

Owner Alex Lockerby began weaving his first tweed at just 12 years old, learning his craft from his father, a skilled weaver. He later attended Lewis Castle School where he spent three years developing his textile skills. In 1970 Alex moved to Yorkshire to continue his training and mill manufacturing. In 1976 he returned to Lewis and entered the Harris Tweed industry, and in 2006 he joined the Kenneth Mackenzie Mill from another Mill, bringing decades of hands-on industry knowledge and expertise. In 2019 Alex became the owner of the Kenneth Mackenzie Mill.

Kenneth Mackenzie supplies Harris Tweed cloth to the trade, including the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. Clients include furniture makers, fashion houses, designers, and clothing & accessory manufacturers.

To commemorate 120 years of continued business, Kenneth Mackenzie invited domestic and international trade buyers, staff & weavers, and local supporters to participate in a two-day celebration in Lewis.

“Kenneth Mackenzie supplies customers all over the world, many for decades and for family-owned businesses like us. We are very pleased that a large number of our domestic and international customers, local supporters, and weavers & staff representing many generations joined us in Stornoway to celebrate this milestone achievement”, said MD Nichola Lockerby.

The two days included accompanied Mill tours, a special exhibition curated by Scottish fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie, a dinner at Lews Castle, visits to weavers’ homes to see them working on their looms, and a dinner & ceilidh.

The Kenneth Mackenzie Harris Tweed Mill in Stornoway in the Western Isles continues to grow, despite current challenging economic and trading conditions.

Since Covid (2019/20 to 2024/25), the Mill has increased sales year-on-year. This includes achieving growth through 2024/2025 when total industry output had decreased. Growth has come from domestic and international markets, especially England, Germany, Japan and China. This growth trajectory is forecast to continue.

A spokesman for Kenneth Mackenzie pointed to a raft of improvements to the mill made in the last few years including introducing production efficiencies (e.g. new machines, improved production processes), undertaking a major brand refresh to represent a premium textile brand (https://harristweedbykmk.com ), promoting motivated staff to work in the sales department, targeting more business in the UK and overseas, and much, much more. This has protected staff jobs and ensured steady work for home-based weavers.

The new owners and management have ambitious plans to continue to increase turnover over the next five to ten years, with exports playing a key role.

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