The initial focus is on cut, make and trim (CMT) manufacturers and garment fabrication departments, with a tender for a thermal jacket and trousers providing a starting point. We also welcome interest from across the wider textile supply chain.
What is the network?
UKFT is working with Toray Textiles Europe Ltd (TTEL) and others on a proposed UK Public Procurement Network that will bring together manufacturers interested in exploring opportunities to supply public sector contracts, initially focused on defence.
By mapping businesses’ capabilities, capacity and areas of interest, we want to identify potential suppliers, explore collaboration and build a clearer picture of what UK manufacturing can deliver.
This is an initial call for expressions of interest. Registering does not commit your business to taking part in a tender or guarantee future work.
Why are we doing this?
UK manufacturers have valuable skills and production expertise, but accessing public procurement contracts can be challenging. Complex tender requirements, competition from lower-cost overseas suppliers, uncertain order volumes and the investment needed to fulfil contracts can discourage businesses from participating.
We want to understand these barriers and bring manufacturers together to explore practical ways forward. Responses will also help strengthen the evidence used in discussions with government about fairer access to public contracts and support for domestic supply chains.
What is the initial opportunity?
The first opportunity we are exploring centres on the Resilient Commodity Purchasing tender for thermal jackets and trousers.
There are two potential routes:
- Tender participation: exploring whether UK manufacturers could work together to support a bid to supply thermal jackets and trousers.
- A UK manufacturing demonstrator: exploring the production of UK-made jackets and trousers to showcase domestic capability and support industry advocacy and communications.
Both routes are exploratory. The next stage will help establish what is feasible and which businesses may be interested in contributing.
Who should register?
We are particularly keen to hear from UK-based:
- CMT manufacturers and businesses with garment fabrication departments.
- Textile manufacturers, processors and finishers.
- Manufacturers working in defence, medical and technical textiles.
Whether your business is ready to explore a specific opportunity or wants to understand what participation could involve, we welcome your interest.
How to get involved
Register your interest by contacting katie.robinson@ukft.org and outline:
- Company name
- Address
- Website
- Contact
- Brief description of business
- Number of employees
- Outline your production capabilities
- Outline the types of public procurement opportunities you would be interested in exploring.
- Tell us about any barriers or support needs that could affect your participation.
Interested businesses will be invited to an online webinar on 8 December 2026 with UKFT and Toray Textiles Europe (TTEL) to discuss the thermal jacket and trousers opportunity, explore the potential routes and help shape the network’s next steps.
For further details, contact katie.robinson@ukft.org
Your response will help us understand what UK manufacturers can supply, what collaboration could make possible and what needs to change to improve access to public procurement.
