Images_Digital_Edition_November_2019

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images NOVEMBER 2019 Charles Kirk brand now distributed under Coolflow Schoolwear Distribution and manufacture of the Charles Kirk brand will now be via Coolflow Schoolwear, following the closure of the Charles Kirk manufacturing operation in Worthing, Sussex. Since 1 October 2019, Coolflow Schoolwear has been embroidering and distributing stocks garments from Charles Kirk at its business operation in Leicester. Charles Kirk said it is still manufacturing outstanding orders, but all stock will now be transferred to Coolflow. Customers will receive a further update on operations once this transfer is complete. The Horton family ran Charles Kirk for over 75 years manufacturing, supplying, embroidering and printing knitwear, sweatshirts and accessories. Due to the turmoil caused by Brexit and the demise of the textile industry, it was decided that the reduced sales of UK- made products and the costs of maintaining machines in Sussex was unsustainable. Therefore, following the retirement of directors Charles and Deborah Horton, the manufacturing operation in Worthing was closed. Charles Horton, managing director, said: “Distribution and manufacture of the Charles Kirk brand via Coolflow Schoolwear will achieve a shorter and leaner supply chain. This will allow the products to remain competitive in an extremely challenging and ever- changing market.” www.coolflowschoolwear.com Hultafors Group acquires Custom LeatherCraft The Hultafors Group, owner of Snickers Workwear, has acquired US workwear manufacturer Custom LeatherCraft (CLC). Since 1983, CLC has developed ‘work gear’ products for professional tradesmen and women, and now offers a range that includes softside tool carriers, nail bags, tool pouches and personal protective equipment. Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, said: “We will now be able to offer the discerning tradesman and woman an even more extensive range of top quality premium brand products, ideally suited to the work they do on site.” www.goclc.com The Soil Association ran a water-themed installation at Westfield, London to coincide with the launch of the ‘Thirsty for fashion?...’ report The US workwear manufacturer develops ‘work gear’ products for professional tradesmen and women View our latest online videos: www.images-magazine.com Growing cotton organically reduces water consumption by 91%, reports Soil Association A recent study by the Soil Association reveals that organic cotton reduces water consumption by 91% compared to conventionally grown cotton. In its study, ‘Thirsty for fashion? How organic cotton delivers in a water- stressed world’, the Soil Association reports that conventionally grown cotton relies on synthetic inputs to grow crops and tackle pests and diseases, such as manufactured nitrogen fertiliser and synthetic pesticides, whereas organic cotton farming takes “a more systems-based approach, relying on natural inputs and processes to manage fertility and reduce pest damage”. The Soil Association reports that 80% of land producing organic cotton is located in areas that are predominantly rain-fed, and so require “considerably less” water. Organic farmers are also said to use a wide range of techniques to conserve water, including rainwater harvesting, good soil management and selecting seed varieties that are drought resistant. www.soilassociation.org