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How rappers Dr Dre and Kendrick Lamar helped this Sunderland business break the £1m turnover barrier

Washington-based Woven Inc has broken the £1m-a-year turnover barrier for the first time in its history, citing rap superstars and surging demand in America as major contributing factors to its success.

The firm, which provides screen printing, embroidery, transfers and garment finishing in several sectors, including workwear, fashion and sports, saw its annual turnover surge by 40% last year.

A consistent supplier to the music industry, the business recently won a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment – the record label affiliated with rapper Dr Dre.

This has seen the company supply merchandise for tours of some the world’s biggest hip-hop stars, including Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar and ASAP Rocky.

In the last quarter of 2016 it shipped 5,000 garments to Norway for Schoolboy Q’s European tour. Among other artists Woven has worked with is Anastasia, whose tour manager recommended the firm to Top Dawg.

Interestingly, the political uncertainty of Brexit and the American presidential campaign has actually played into the company’s hands in the last 12 months.

The impact of financial market volatility on garment prices has prompted US customers to buy merchandise in Europe for events here, rather than having them exported from the States.

The firm invested over £150,000 in 2016 in new equipment to increase its capacity. It also launched a new website and doubled its headcount from 10 to 20 employees during the year.

Woven was launched by husband-and-wife team Ian and Sarah Taylor in 2012 and is based on Pattinsons Industrial Estate.

Its success in the music industry came on the back of Ian’s former career working in extreme sports; an industry with a close affiliation with rap, pop and rock music.

The couple are gearing up for another year of strong growth throughout 2017, with Ian saying: “We’re continuing to make strides in securing new workwear business and are working with some fantastic fashion brands on a national basis.

“Our reputation is developing here and in the States, and we have the capacity to meet growing demand. Recent investment means we now have the ability to embroider or print 50,000 items of clothing per week. We’re also being recognised as the UK’s leading 3D – or puff - embroidery specialist.”

Woven’s growth has been supported by Sunderland City Council, which provides advice and guidance to businesses and helps them access the funding needed to expand.

Councillor Harry Trueman, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council said: “Woven’s ongoing success in the UK and abroad is a fantastic advert for the skills and entrepreneurial spirit of our region.

“It is an ambitious, young company with huge potential and we’re delighted that it continues to prosper here in Sunderland. We look forward to supporting it in the future.”

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