The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Perth-based textiles firm weaves increase in sales
Firm is behind premium Isle Mill and House of Edgar brands
Perth-based textile firm Macnaughton Holdings saw its profits increase despite rising costs last year.
The manufacturer and wholesaler of premium Scottish-made textiles has its base in Perth, a weaving operation in Keith and a sewing and kilt-making factory in Paisley.
The long-established business’s brands include Isle Mill and House of Edgar, Scotland’s leading Highlandwear supplier.
According to newly filed accounts, the company recorded sales of £4.4 million for the year ending January 31, a 5% rise from the previous year.
Pre-tax profits in the group, which has 71 staff, increased from £154,337 to £189,583.
In February last year Blair Macnaughton, the seventh-generation family member, retired as managing director, though remains on the board and is the company chairman.
He said new MD James Dracup had helped bring sales to the firm from the couture fashion brands in France.
Mr Macnaughton said: “We have been able to pick up a bit of business from the Paris fashion houses, which we hope will become ongoing.
“Over the past couple of years we have also made good contacts with quality companies in China who are ordering on a regular business. One of them even opened an Isle Mill showroom for us.
“International sales have always been about a third of our business.
“America is our biggest market and our smallest by a long way is Europe, which makes around 10% of our exports. We are not at all afraid of a hard Brexit.
“We have continued to trade well this year, slightly ahead of our targets on the profit side.
“We are finding margins this year are becoming tight due to rising costs in the fibre markets.
“Unfortunately, the Chinese are very bullish at he moment so fibre prices have become very high.”
The company was first established by Alexander Macnaughton at the end of the 18th Century on the banks of Loch Tay.
It moved to Pitlochry in 1835, when his grandson William took advantage of the village’s improved communications.
The company prospered for the next 150 years, with sons, grandsons and great-grandsons all taking the helm.
Blair Macnaughton, led a management buy-out in 1987, returning the company to direct family ownership.
Macnaughton has secured business around the world, including palaces, opera houses and the White House.