Jobs and investment boost at Clothes2order
WORKWEAR supplier Clothes2order has unveiled expansion plans for 2015 which include creating 30 jobs, a search for new premises and investment in equipment to help meet rising demand.
The Trafford Park company, which supplies customised clothing for uniforms, promotions and events, says its workforce is expected to reach 100 this year, up from 70.
Clients of the company range from start-ups to household names such as Google, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz and Kellogg’s. It prints and embroiders logos and slogans on to clothing for more than 20,000 businesses, clubs, charities and societies as well as individuals.
More state-of-the-art printing and embroidery machinery is on order, and Clothes2order is seeking additional production sites after reaching capacity at its Trafford Park headquarters. It is the fastest-growing division of Quayside Group, which saw revenues rise 50% in the year to December 31, from £4.4m to £6.6m.
Managing director Michael Conway is now targeting sales of £9m for 2015.
He said: “The investment, innovation and service improvements we have implemented at Clothes2order over the past two years are really bearing fruit.
“We’ve substantially increased our market share by upgrading our website to make ordering easier, and by introducing one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry, with orders dispatched within 24 hours and no minimum quantity.
“Along with other initiatives, such as a click and collect service at Trafford Park, we have forged a reputation as the market leader in our industry and we aim to continue our progress with further substantial investment this year.
“During 2014 we recruited across the board, from warehouse staff and machine operatives to our customer support, sales and web development teams, and this programme of job creation will continue during 2015. We will soon double our printing capacity and we are targeting group revenues of £9m for the full year.”
During 2014, Clothes2order passed the two million mark for the number of customised items of clothing it has supplied since its inception in 2002.
Mr Conway said sales of t-shirts and polo shirts to retailers, bar and restaurant operators grew particularly strongly amid a trend for more casual staff dress codes. Increased demand from marketing agencies for promotional and event clothing also drove sales.
