£9m investment in textiles manufacturing facility
A manufacturer of textile materials has invested £9m in a 60,000 sq ft manufacturing base in Bradford.
The Texfelt facility was officially opened by the Princess Royal earlier today.
Texfelt said the facility would future-proof its operation and enable the production of Springbond, an eco-engineered carpet underlay made from upcycled plastic bottles. And the business said the investment has also so far safeguarded and created 13 jobs in the area.
Six years in the making, the plant is home to new machinery and modern equipment. A collaboration between Texfelt and four other machinery manufacturers, the site has enabled Texfelt to introduce technology which has allowed a new virtual spring structure in its products, enhancing resilience and acoustic performance.
James Taylor, Managing Director at Texfelt and part of the fourth generation at the family-run business, said: “The royal opening is a real milestone for Texfelt.
“Building a development of this size doesn’t come without its challenges but we are incredibly proud of what’s been achieved, and of the direct impact we’ve had on job creation in Bradford.
“Our family roots are from Huddersfield, so we have a huge emotional attachment to Yorkshire and are proud to be part of the region’s future.”
Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and NP11, said: “I’m delighted that through the Growth Service, the LEP has supported businesses to become more productive and environmentally sustainable.
“The Leeds City Region is a leading centre for textile manufacturing, and businesses like Texfelt are boosting growth and global competitiveness in this sector.
“It’s vital that as a region we continue to invest in innovation and give businesses the tools they need to help grow the economy. I would encourage all businesses to pick up the phone and find out about the support available for growing businesses at every stage of their development.”
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This is great news for the Bradford district.
“Significant investment in manufacturing technology is a key part of our economic strategy. Businesses like Texfelt are not only good for jobs and the economy, they are also good for the environment.”
To coincide with the opening of the Bradford site and to confirm its commitment to the environment, Texfelt has brought a new eco-engineered carpet underlay to market, 85% of which is made from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics bottles and other single use plastics.
Each roll of Springbond uses up to 180 recycled bottles, meaning the average homeowner could see 900 recycled bottles sitting under their carpets. In keeping with its environmental ethos, Texfelt partnered with Associated Weavers by using its Sedna carpet for its launch event.
Sedna carpet is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon, a yarn made from recycled waste material such as old carpets and abandoned fishing nets collected from the bottom of the sea.
Texfelt received investment for its new facility from the Textiles Growth Programme via the Business Growth Hub, and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The LEP funding was delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1bn package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Jo Ruxton, prominent plastic pollution campaigner and CEO and Founder of Plastic Oceans UK, said: “I am delighted to attend the opening of the Texfelt factory.
“Springbond is a perfect example of upcycling for plastic that might otherwise have ended up in the environment. I hope this will encourage other entrepreneurs to find ways to value plastic to ensure it never reaches our oceans.”
