‘Internationally and globally renowned but, locally, little known.’
Sean Clayton, Chief Executive, opened his talk about Peter Reed with the statement above. Founded in Nelson in 1861, by the time the company moved to Springbank Mill in 1891, Peter Reed operated 748 looms and was the second largest weaver of cotton in the world. Despite the industry’s decline in the 1970s and 80s, Peter Reed continued to produce its own cloth until 2008. Today, Peter Reed sources luxurious fabric from Italy, with all products meticulously crafted at Butterworth Mill.
Photo: Peter Booth
Since 2008, Peter Reed has imported fine cotton cloth from Italy. Drawing on its embroidery archive of 6000 designs (originally handcrafted in Madeira from 1920s-1940s), the company now produces luxury bedlinen of the highest quality. With just 12 employees the company has full control of the manufacturing process and is able to offer bespoke options for individual clients.
A Signature Chord, that identifies the quality of the line, is sewn into each traditional white sheet produced. A Classic Chord embellishes sheets produced for special projects: coloured thread is often matched to other elements in luxury apartments, high-class hotels and super yachts.
Photo: Peter Reed
Peter Reed now exports its products to the USA, China, South Korea, India and the Middle East with concessions in the most prestigious stores, including Harrods of London. In 2008 the company received a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II and last year, after a rigorous application and vetting process, was recognised by Royal Appointment Manufacturer of Bedlinen to HM King Charles III. Peter Reed linen is now provided to many Royal Households, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace and Sandringham Palace. Peter Reed bedlinen can last 20 years, or more. The late Queen insisted that, at the end of its life, a bedsheet should be cut up for use as dusters and, finally, as coasters.
Part of the process of gaining a Royal Warrant from King Charles involved demonstrating that Peter Reed supported the local community, met the highest standards of sustainability and was committed to reducing the company’s environmental impact. The company is proud that it pays its employees a living wage; purchases its packaging from local suppliers; offcuts are re-purposed to smaller items or given to a local craft shop; bedding is donated to ‘Help for Heroes’, a charity that supports ex-servicemen and their families.
Photo: Peter Reed
Peter Reed collaborates with creative thinkers and designers. The company is developing links with local educational institutions, which is exciting and stimulating for the present workforce and will sustain business and employment into the future.
At the end of his talk, members asked questions about details of the present business, how he had arrived in his present position and how he saw the future of the textile industry in Lancashire. Sean answered in the relaxed, informal style that he had employed throughout.
Photo: Peter Reed
Finally Trustee, Peter Booth commented that it was amazing that a small local firm could have achieved such fame worldwide, thanked Sean for the entertaining and informative talk, wishing Sean and Peter Reed every success in the future.