Natural expansion for carpet maker
ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious homemakers are driving demand for biodegradable British wool carpets and reviving the fortunes of one well established North-east firm.
Gaskell Mackay, which was bought out of administration by Whitestone Weavers two years ago, rolled out ambitious plans this week to expand its operations from a new site in Hartlepool.
At the same time, Whitestone said sales of its newly-launched Nature’s Own range of all-natural carpets were “flying”.
Both gaskell Mackay and Whitestone will operate from the 250,000sq ft former Carpets International yarn plant on Park View Industrial Estate. The move follows £4m investment by Whitestone in the distribution centre, including £1m on a fully automated cutting and wrapping plant - its second major upgrade in less than four years.
The carpets will continue to be made in Eastern Europe.
Steve Byrne, managing director of Whitestone Weavers said: “We have always been a company based in the North-east of England and so it was really important for us to find a new home in the local area.”
Although British wool was still the yarn of choice for most customers, and made up 60% of Whitestone Weavers’ carpets, high labour costs had driven manufacturing offshore, he said.
“All the weaving is done in an Eastern European factory. Although labour costs are now catching up, it’s allowed us to invest in new technology. In theory, I suppose, it could eventually come back the other way.”
Whitestone developed the Nature’s Own range in close co-operation with the British Wool Marketing Board. The natural fibres and subtle colours of native breeds had gone down well with green shoppers, who were increasingly dictating the agenda, said Mr Byrne.
“Everybody wants to make sure they are buying things that are not going to damage the environment. The Nature’s Own product, which is made from jute, cotton and undyed wool, takes us a long way towards that. For people buying on price, they’re basically buying plastic carpet that’s going to sit in landfill sites for years.”
Whitestone Weavers, established in 1991 and formerly based in Middlesbrough, bought the intellectual property rights of contract carpet specialists Gaskell Mackays in 2006. As Hugh Mackays – which grew out of the region’s medieval weaving tradition - the company was renowned for its high quality products.
The name was also synonymous with the Wilton and Axminster brands and boasted big-name clients including Caesar’s Palace casino in Las Vegas, the Houses of Parliament and Windsor Castle. The company also held the Royal Warrant, supplying carpets to the Queen, the QE1 and QE2 ships.
