21 January 2000

TEXTILES AND CLOTHING CAN BECOME DYNAMIC SECTOR

Action by Adria in Strabane and Desmond and Sons in Londonderry to maintain their competitiveness in today's challenging clothing markets were outlined to Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, during visits to both companies.

At Adria, Sir Reg met Managing Director, Terry McCartney and at Desmond’s, Company Chairman, Denis Desmond and Finance Director, Arthur Henderson. During his visits the Minister toured the production facilities at both Strabane and Drumahoe.

Said Sir Reg: "It is vitally important for me to be briefed at first hand about current trends in the clothing industry and I am grateful to both companies.

"My visits are part of an ongoing programme designed to enable me to discuss with industry leaders the challenges and opportunities facing the textiles and clothing sector. I want to consider what assistance we may be able to provide to help companies strengthen their ability to compete for business in an extremely difficult marketplace.

"There have been several regrettable setbacks in recent weeks within the textiles and clothing and there may be further problems ahead because of the

current very difficult market conditions and the low margins on which some companies are trading.

"They are at the forefront of the type of knowledge-led initiatives in design, innovative products and global sourcing identified by Strategy 2010’s Textiles and Apparel Working Group as being essential for the long term growth of the sector.

"I believe the industry has the experience and expertise to adapt to the competitive challenges from low cost economies around the world and to re-invent itself as a dynamic and innovative sector.

"Adria, for example, has a strong brand in Charnos and has developed a 'state of the art' hosiery knitting factory with a well-equipped design and development unit at Strabane.

"Desmond’s has developed a very substantial order book from its close relationship with Marks & Spencer, which is based on flexibility and versatility. The company, in addition, has enhanced its cost competitiveness by establishing joint venture manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka.

"This enables the company to offer its customer an attractive combination of higher value products on a quick response basis and high volume, lower cost garments," he added.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Adria currently employs 1,000 people at its factories in Strabane and Londonderry in the design and manufacture of hosiery and lingerie for major retailers such as Marks and Spencer.

Desmond and Sons employs 2,750 people at nine factories in the west of Northern Ireland.