At the UKFT Weaving Conference in Huddersfield on 8 October, UKFT CEO Adam Mansell outlined our latest work for textile members, from representing the industry and supporting international business to developing skills and training, advancing sustainability and innovation, and helping companies navigate regulation and compliance.
Read his speech below:
“Our members and their challenges sit at the heart of everything we do, so our work starts with the conversations we have with you.
“And we work hard to keep in touch with the sector. So far this year, UKFT has visited more than 60 textile businesses to understand the challenges you’re facing. We’ve worked with over 100 textile companies at export shows, and spoken to many more through our events, webinars and roundtables.
“Those conversations shape what we do. Sometimes our work is very visible – an event, a campaign, a guide or a report. But a lot of what a trade association does happens quietly in the background. And it matters.
“Our work with government is probably one of the most important things we do, but it’s often unseen. We represent the sector to different parts of government, both at Westminster and across the four nations, as well as in Europe and increasingly in the US.
“That might mean dealing with changes in emissions permitting with the Environment Agency, lobbying on international trade regulations, campaigning for the BICS energy scheme to be expanded, or pushing for the best possible terms for UK manufacturers within free trade agreements.
“And over the past few years, we’ve worked extremely hard to highlight the economic and security advantages of using public procurement to support UK manufacturing.
“We also continue to push for UK businesses to receive the same level of export support as their international competitors. The lack of financial support for exports is indefensible. But to make sure we can still promote the capacity and capability of British textile manufacturing abroad, UKFT has raised £250,000 over the last two years to support export promotion.
“This year alone, we’ve promoted UK textile manufacturing at a series of international trade shows – from showcasing our apparel fabrics at Milano Unica, Intertextile Shanghai and VIATT in Vietnam, to highlighting the innovation and technical capabilities of the sector at Techtextil in Germany and CINTE Techtextil in China.
“And talking of promotion, this year we’ve also taken our President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to see a narrow fabric weaver, a wool sorter, a bedding manufacturer and a technical textiles company.
“Another major challenge companies tell us they’re facing is the growing complexity of sustainability and compliance legislation. There are increasing obligations around product safety, packaging, Extended Producer Responsibility, Digital Product Passports, supply chain transparency, environmental claims, chemicals, water usage and international trade compliance. And that list keeps growing.
“So UKFT has responded with practical guides, webinars, workshops and our Regulation & Policy Newsletter. We’ve developed Sustainability Clinics, green claims audits and circular design resources, as well as our Sustainability conference. We help businesses connect with research organisations and funding opportunities, and increasingly we’re working with fibre innovators to help them understand the textile industry.
“This year we’ve also launched our Textile Industry Advancement Days, bringing textile professionals together to identify challenges, share expertise and shape the next steps for advancing UK product development, process efficiency and innovation.
“Skills are another long-term challenge for our sector. We hear repeatedly that finding the right people, developing technical capability and passing knowledge from one generation to the next is becoming increasingly difficult – and that this is slowing businesses’ ability to innovate, invest and grow.
“To help raise awareness of opportunities in the sector, we showcase the industry at careers events around the country. Over the past couple of years, we’ve talked to more than 7,500 young people about careers in textiles.
“We’ve brought education providers and businesses together through our UKFT Education Partners Conference, and developed training and industry-focused CPD opportunities with academic partners including Leeds, Manchester and Huddersfield universities.
“Through the generous support of our partners, we also provide more than £250,000 a year in training support through programmes including the Young Textile Technician Training Fund, Made IT and the Weavers x UKFT Bursary.
“And this year we’ve undertaken our largest piece of research into the skills challenges facing the industry, speaking in depth to more than 65 businesses. We’re now finalising the analysis, but our ambition is to develop a vocational skills system that directly supports UK textile manufacturing and avoids the ever-changing goalposts of government-backed skills provision.
“I’ve mentioned innovation in skills, export promotion and sustainability, but increasingly you’re telling us that you need to understand how innovation in technology can make your businesses more productive, competitive and resilient.
“Members are increasingly asking us: How do we make AI work for us? Where can robotics make a difference in my factory? And what does digital transformation really mean for a manufacturing business like mine? But the question we’re asked more than any other is: Where do I start?
“Those are exactly the questions we want this conference to help answer.
“Today isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about understanding what is possible, seeing real examples, and understanding where these technologies can genuinely improve productivity, quality, efficiency and decision-making.
“At UKFT, we’re passionate about this sector and about ensuring the right environment exists to support the growth and evolution of textile manufacturing. We can bring the industry together. We can give you a collective voice. And we can help you understand what is changing.
"But to do that, we need you to keep talking to us, keep telling us what your challenges are, and where you need our support.”
Interested in how we can help your business? Get in touch today at info@ukft.org
