A mere success story for Ayrshire’s hidden secret
It’s a world class manufacturer still going strong some 150 years after its inception.
Yet cashmere giant Alex Begg & Co – which exports around the globe from its base in Ayr’s Viewfield Road – undoubtedly remains one of the town’s best kept secrets.
And you get the impression that’s just the way staff at the busy factory like it.
A hive of industry it may be, yet their milestone anniversary has been brought up with the kind of understated elegance befitting one of their sought- after garments.
It was back in 1866 that Alex Begg & Company first struck the market; located then in Paisley where it made traditional, hand- woven paisley shawls.
And it would be 1902 before the firm relocated to the seaside and bigger premises in Ayr, investing in new machinery and increasingly skilled weaving techniques.
Production manager, Lorna Dempsey, explains: “Ayr’s reliable annual rainfall is, to this day, an essential ingredient in the manufacturing process and the ‘ finishing’ techniques that elevate our scarves and throws from being very good to being exceptional.
“They require many gallons of the soft water that flows off the Ayrshire hills.”
As the company marks its 150th year in business, they do so from the same premises in the centre of Ayr which welcomed them back in 1902.
Much has changed since those days, however, with the factory space more than doubling to cater for the growing global demand for its products – more than half of its trade is exported with the likes of Japan proving a huge market for the company.
And a total of 130 staff now work on ever expanding production lines to keep up with demand.
Lorna said: “To celebrate our anniversary we’ve been holding a number of events for staff.
“Our Anniversary Ball at Sorn Castle, for all employees and their partners, was a particular highlight.
“Each staff members has also been presented with a scarf to commemorate this special year.
“We’re now ending the celebrations by holding sales evenings on December 1 and December 8 to say thank you to the public.
“We plan to have bargains galore on our accessories and would like to invite everyone to join us.”
Anyone making a purchase will receive a 20 per cent discount voucher for the outlet store attached to Begg’s factory, which is open all year round.