Mayor backs Motif8’s school uniform push

A Thornaby-based embroidery firm is on a mission to keep school uniform production within the Tees Valley following the closure of two key local suppliers.

Motif8, which already supplies school-wear to over 120 schools across the UK, is expanding to meet the demand created by the shutdown of Ross’s Schoolwear and Elizabeth’s Embroidery. 

The firm, which employs 30 full-time staff, produces its wide range of products, including sports kits, workwear and military wear to the British Armed Forces, in-house at its Thornaby factory.

And bosses say that Motif8 plan to hire up to 18 more staff during peak seasons to ensure that local children’s uniforms are made in the Tees Valley, rather than being outsourced. 

Chris Pomfret, managing director of Motif8, said: “When the other firms sadly closed, we knew how important it was to step up – not just for our business, but for the families and schools across our region who rely on a trusted local supplier and have underpinned my business over the years, we owe it to them to keep this service local.

“We’re proud to do everything in-house, in our own factory, right here in Thornaby. 

“We are committed to employing local people and want to keep those jobs, skills and services rooted in the Tees Valley – not sent up the A19 to Newcastle.

“We’re ambitious about the future and determined to show that small businesses like ours can make a big difference when given the chance.”

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, who visited the company to show his support and to hear first-hand about the challenges facing SMEs in the region, added: “This is a great local business that has served our region for over 22 years.

“The last thing we want is to see these jobs providing our children’s school uniforms go out of area to a firm in Newcastle and beyond.

“Chris and his team have a real passion for our area and I’m proud to support this local firm providing a vital service for our region’s schools.

“I was delighted to see they still do the uniforms for my old primary school, Whinstone. 

“They still look exactly how I remember them – although I think I might need to go a couple of sizes up now!”

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