Historic Bradford textile business invests in new Baildon facility

Laxtons, the Bradford-based yarn business, is doubling its manufacturing capacity with a move next year to the Sapper Jordan Rossi Park, formerly known as the Baildon Business Park.

The family firm, established 109 years ago, brought its production back to the UK in 2010 and has now outgrown its existing home in just six years.

As a result, the business will relocate to a purpose-built 16,000 sq ft facility at Baildon in spring 2017.

The move will bring the entire team together in a single building and provide space for the installation of new equipment as part of a planned expansion of the business.

Laxtons, which makes ‘fancy and worsted wool yarns’ for hand knitting, upholstery and clothing, has many hand and machine knitting brands as clients, including Debbie Bliss, Erika Knight and John Lewis, along with clothing brands such as Chanel, Jaeger and Jack Wills.

The business has invested in state-of-the-art spinning equipment and in-house training of specialist operatives, producing higher quality materials and a lower carbon footprint than imported alternatives.

Owner James Laxton said: “We are already in the process of extending our product range and increasing our customer base, and require additional space as soon as possible to continue that expansion.

“The acquisition of this new facility represents a major investment for Laxtons and is clear demonstration of the upward trajectory we have been on since bringing our manufacturing operation back to the UK in 2010.

“We will be further investing in new equipment to allow us to grow the upholstery and clothing yarn ranges, and have already added an additional shift and a number of trainees to the rota to help cope with demand.

“We work very closely with our customers and we’re very much looking forward to showing them around our state-of-the-art spinning mill early next year.”

Russells Construction has commenced building the new factory at the 15-acre employment site off the Otley Road near Shipley. Laxtons will relocate 24 staff from the existing premises at Gordon Mills in Guiseley.

Mark Taylforth, director of developer Pendle Russells which is delivering the business park, said: “Laxtons is a huge success story for UK manufacturing, a business which is going from strength to strength, where investment in quality production is really paying off.

“We’re delighted to be building the UK’s newest spinning factory and helping a business which has so much history in this area, stay close to home without having to compromise on location or facilities.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →