Royal visit to family-run headwear manufacturer Try & Lilly
18/02/2020
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited headwear manufacturer Try & Lilly in Liverpool this week, in her role as President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT).
Try & Lilly was established as a manufacturer of uniform peaked caps in Liverpool in 1864, when the port of Liverpool was the home of the British Merchant Fleet. The company still manufactures military caps has extended its range to include police helmets, bowlers and items of specialist headwear for the Ministry of Defence.
The company has been run by the same family since 1958 and they manufacture and market headwear from their factory in Liverpool. It has a local workforce of 40 people, who all share the family passion for quality and innovation.
“UK-manufactured headwear is in high demand and Try & Lilly supply customers around the world,” said Managing Director Tony Jennions. “Our bespoke uniform caps can be seen on police, army, navy and air force personnel across the continents.
“We have a dedicated and talented technical team whose experience in headwear manufacture amounts to over 150 years,” he added. “The Technical Team is supported by highly skilled operatives skilled to NVQ 3, instructor and Graduate level in textile sciences. Our cutting team has many years of experience and their attention to detail is second to none.”
HRH The Princess Royal was given a tour of the factory and was introduced to employees in the cutting room and production floor, who explained the processes involved in making bespoke hats and specifically, how a Royal Navy Tricorn hat is made.
Paul Alger MBE, UKFT’s International Business Director, said: “It is a great pleasure to recognise a company which is committed to manufacturing in the UK and rebuilding a fashion and textile quarter in the heart of Liverpool. Try & Lilly is flying the flag for the skills, expertise and passion of the UK manufacturing industry, employing local people and exporting around the world.”
Emma Graham, Business Development and Marketing Director at Try & Lilly, added: “It was a honour to have the work and development that our company has achieved recognised by the President of the UKFT.”
UKFT’s Let’s Make It Here is a free resource for finding a high-quality manufacturer covering all stages of the supply chain, from yarns, fabrics and trimmings through to garment manufacturing (womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and accessories including bags, belts, hats, ties and blankets) and all relevant ancillary finishing and processing services.
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