Meet the Manufacturer and Make it British
12-05-2014
Mary Portas, and Ian Maclean managing director of John Smedley, have been announced as keynote speakers for the first-ever Meet the Manufacturer conference – to address the potential of a full-scale return of fashion and textiles manufacturing to the UK.
Day one, 11th June, will also see our very own CEO of Fashion Enter Jenny Holloway joined by Sophie Glover from ASOS to discuss Why ‘Made in Britain’ is here to stay. Their talk will be followed by further discussion and an exchange of ideas on the challenges and opportunities that manufacturing in Britain faces today.
Organised by Kate Hills, founder of Make it British, the Meet the Manufacturer conference and sourcing event will take place on 11 & 12 June 2014 at The Old Truman Brewery in London’s East End. One and two-day conference tickets can be purchased at www.meetthemanufacturer.co.uk with day one targeted at bigger brands aiming to reshore back to the UK, and day two focused on smaller companies looking to launch and build Great British brands, and work with UK factories.
Mary Portas and Jenny Holloway to speak at the conference
Kate Hills said: “We are poised at the start of a new industrial revolution in textile and clothing manufacturing, but this will only happen if retailers, buyers, brands and manufacturers get together to make it happen.
“Concern over complex supply chains and the use of unethical sweatshops, as well as rising costs overseas and quality issues has fuelled an 850% increase in demand from clothing retailers and fashion brands looking to source locally in the UK. Yet, after years of outsourcing overseas, the industry is disconnected, and more than 60% of manufacturers aren’t yet seeing the impact in terms of this demand. Meet the Manufacturer aims to change this, introduce brands to manufacturers and share knowledge and advice, so that UK fashion and textile manufacturing does indeed return.”
Further details, including the full line-up of speakers, agenda and tickets for one and both days of the conference, can be found at www.meetthemanufacturer.co.uk
