Welsh nametapes manufacturer weaves its way to expansion
Pembrokeshire-based family run business, National Weaving Company, finds ways to grow with support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service
THE National Weaving Company was set up in the 1980s by Christine Astley and her daughter Louise, to provide high-quality British made products with exceptionally quick delivery times and customer service. Over the years, the business has grown exponentially, acquired new machinery and staff, becoming the UK’s largest nametapes manufacturer.
National Weaving supplies more than 600 school shops, schools, nursing homes, fashion designers and web-based companies with a range of woven nametapes for labelling children’s school uniforms and related personalised products.
Having supplied nametapes to the Royal Family, the business also manufactures craft and hobby labels, luggage straps and short-run designer labels, filling a niche in the market, providing as few as 500 customwoven labels at a time.
As the business identified a need to increase capacity, Business Wales provided support and advice, enabling the business to secure a grant from the Growth and Prosperity Fund that created four new jobs.
National Weaving also met a tendering adviser to explore new avenues for growth and a resource efficiency adviser to discuss environmental management systems and opportunities to cut energy costs.
Louise Bradley, managing director at the National Weaving Company, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support and practical advice that we have received from Business Wales, as its assistance has been integral to the implementation of our expansion plans here in Narberth.”
Business Wales growth adviser, Greg Oaten, commented: “Helping local Welsh businesses start, grow and develop is at the centre of our strategy at Business Wales. I am delighted to have helped the company, a truly inspirational family business, with its expansion plans, and look forward to working with it in future, as it looks to grow and develop even further.’
Business Wales, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, supports the sustainable growth of small and medium size enterprises across the country by offering access to information, guidance and business support.
To find out how Business Wales can help start or develop your business, call 03000 6 03000, follow @_businesswales or @_ busnescymru or visit www.businesswales.gov.wales/ or www.busnescymru.llyw.cymru/ for further information.