ImagesMagUK_September_2020

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images AUGUST 2020 Tag us on Instagram! @imagesmaguk Border Embroideries doubles workforce after receiving Covid-19 grant Border Embroideries in Berwickshire has created 80 new jobs after being awarded a business grant from the Covid-19 Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund from South of Scotland Enterprise. The family-run embroidery company has been able to employ 80 new temporary staff members, in addition to its 80 current employees, in order to keep up with a significant increase in online orders. When interviewed by ITV news, William Smillie, operations manager at Border Embroideries, said: “It was only a few months ago that we were sitting round the table thinking to ourselves: ‘What are we going to do here? This could finish us, essentially.’ “Luckily for us it picked up, and it’s more than picked up in fact, it’s better than it’s ever been, so it’s great news.” Professor Russel Griggs, chairman of South of Scotland Enterprise, commented to ITV: “We understand this has been a hugely challenging time for many small and medium-sized businesses across the South of Scotland. “I personally look forward to seeing Border Embroideries prosper, and I thank them for their individual contribution to their community.” To read more about how Border Embroideries and other schoolwear shops have managed since lockdown, turn to page 63. imagesmag.uk/border-embroideries Border Embroideries has employed 80 new temporary staff members Rowlinson Knitwear donates 200,000 face masks to schoolwear retailers Rowlinson Knitwear has donated more than 200,000 disposable face masks to independent schoolwear retailers across the UK. The Stockport-based company offered the free face masks to its schoolwear customers to thank them for their continued support and loyalty during lockdown. Since the middle of July, Rowlinson has supplied a box of 50 three-ply, disposable face masks with every customer order that has a value of £175 or more. Neil Ward, managing director of Rowlinson, added: “In difficult times, it’s even more important to act responsibly and help others. Distributing free masks is just a small way of demonstrating that we care about our customers, because we know how tough this year will be for them.” imagesmag.uk/Rowlinson-free- masks Duoviz shines light on the biking boom Transfer printing specialist, Valerie Anne Leisure (VAL), has introduced new custom-made Duoviz reflective transfers, which are said to be ideal for use in decorating cycle jerseys, jackets and shorts, rusksacks and many other biking accessories. The company points out that the Covid-19 outbreak has prompted a big increase in the popularity of cycling, which has led to a growing demand for safe bikewear. The new Duoviz transfers are available in a choice of 10 colours, including black, white, silver and fluorescent hues, and are intended to “add safety to your message and brighten up both the day and night”. imagesmag.uk/Duoviz Free masks are a way of demonstrating Rowlinson’s care for its customers, says MD Neil Ward Duoviz transfers viewed in daylight [L] and revealing their reflective properties under direct lighting [R]