Tetrad’s export boost from Harris Tweed link-up

A NORTH West furniture manufacturer is seeing soaring international demand for a new range of sofas and chairs made with the famous Harris Tweed cloth.

Preston-based Tetrad, a £12m turnover family-owned business, has seen orders rocket in Russia, the Ukraine and Japan and has won additional listings in stores in Australia since launching the Harris Tweed range in January.

Domestically the new range is proving popular too and has already secured over 90 stockists in the UK.

Marketing director, Fiona Langan said “Although we have had an export presence for many years, like a lot of UK manufacturing businesses we have been through some difficult times recently, and this new collection has enabled us to approach new markets with increased confidence.

There is great interest in high end, quality British brands currently in the Far East and other export markets; and this combined with the fact that a significant proportion of Harris Tweeds products are exported, meant that we believe that we have a significant opportunity in our hands.

“As a 100% British-based manufacturer the reaction to the product is really exciting. We are just appointing an agent in China and are looking at opportunities in the US because the ‘made in Britain’ tag is proving really popular.”

Tetrad approached the Harris Tweed Authority – the organisation that
promotes and safequards the authenticity, standard and reputation of the world famous Harris Tweed cloth – after noticing its popularity at a trade show in Paris.

The company, owned by 73-year-old chairman Bob Cooper and his family, has been working with UK Trade and Investment on its export strategy, and last year launched a separate high-end range, the Duchess of Rutland Collection, at the British Embassy in Moscow.

Fiona Langan added: “We would hope that this is just the start of our export success, and will in the medium to longer term lead to new jobs and investment in the company.”