Investment Boost For Innovative Textile Firm

William Clark and Sons, based in Upperlands Linen Village in Magherafelt, has announced a major investment – with support from Invest Northern Ireland - which is projected to increase the company’s turnover by £1.8 million over the next two years.

Invest NI has offered £77,000 of support towards the total projects costs, which will help William Clark & Sons to achieve its objectives of developing sales in the European and global markets.

The company, which is a newly formed subsidiary of the traditional linen manufacturer, William Clark and Sons (Holdings) Ltd founded in 1736, will continue to specialise in laminating and finishing textiles, as well as the manufacturing of new innovative high value products for use in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Medical Textiles and Furnishing Products with specialised coatings to reduce infection spread and soiling.

William Clark & Sons has a history of investing in product differentiation and has continued to invest in new equipment while retaining the skills to maintain and efficiently operate one of the last commercial beetling mills in the world.

This mill uniquely provides sheen and lustre to linens that cannot be replicated by modern machinery, giving the company a distinct advantage over competitors and providing a high quality, bespoke specification with the potential to be exploited on a global basis.

Commenting on the investment, Robert Clark of William Clark and Sons, said: “We have a centuries old commitment to quality and innovation.

“This investment will increase our technical capability and competitive position. It will enable us to exploit new opportunities by putting in place a talented and skilled management team that will be able to drive change and deliver results.

“The marketing capability provided by this investment combined with a focus on new product development into specialised applications for textiles, and Invest NI’s support, will add value to our business and enable us to exploit new niche market opportunities.”

(EF)