FROM THE WOOLSACK TO WOOLLEN COFFINS – 225 YEARS OF BRITISH MANUFACTURING AND STILL INNOVATING!
In Tudor England, wool was a commodity that signified power and influence. So much so that Queen Elizabeth I insisted nobility took their oaths of loyalty kneeling on a woollen sack. Today, the Woolsack remains at the heart of Britain’s democracy and is now the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords. The Woolsack is covered in Hainsworth cloth.
What’s even more interesting is Hainsworth’s heritage – a family owned and run business in its seventh generation. From the Guards uniforms outside Buckingham Palace to the plush interiors at Windsor Castle, to the fastest snooker and pool cloth in the world, to the latest in protective textile development, Hainsworth embody national pride both at home and overseas; and it doesn’t stop there. Hainsworth carry the Royal Warrant, global awards in innovation, ISO9001 quality assurance and its own UKAS-accredited testing laboratory.
In celebrating the completion of its 225th year, Hainsworth reviewed its brand, positioning and the communication of its product and service offering. The new image and website are the initial visual outcomes of this review and restructuring process. In parallel, Hainsworth underwent an operational audit with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to streamline its manufacturing processes and reduce its environmental footprint.
Thomas Hainsworth, Managing Director, said: ‘The rebrand and restructure is a celebration of our 225 years in business and illustrates our relentless commitment to both the industry’s and our customers’ future. We are proud of our heritage and this development marks both a celebration and a new beginning. Never in our company’s history has there been such a coordinated attempt in defining and ensuring that we, Hainsworth, are everything our customers and market need: an innovative and adaptable company always one step ahead of the game.’
Victoria Mellor, Marketing Manager, comments: ‘There is now a refreshed, positive, dynamic and consistent face to Hainsworth, one that reflects and embraces all the achievements to date, and all those yet to come. It has been a great opportunity to be involved with this project and we are all very happy with the outcomes, both structural and visual, and the benefits they will bring to our customers and the company.’
Interest in Hainsworth has rocketed over the last few weeks with the launch of its woollen coffin range. Carrying the British Wool Mark, this is a product innovation pushing the natural, sustainability and environmental credentials of wool as a base fibre. The coffins were launched with the market expertise of, and in partnership with, JC Atkinson and Son, the UK’s largest coffin manufacturer and distributor. JC Atkinson hold sole UK distribution for this fascinating new product.
From Woolsack to woollen coffin, here is a national treasure to keep an eye on and one in an exciting phase of development.
