Success in Chinese market for ambitious textile company

Edinburgh and Glasgow-based SLANJ, a bespoke tartan clothes and accessories manufacturer, has signed a deal with Chinese tailor, Sun Fashion, to provide samples of all products from its golf range which the company hopes will lead to further investment.

SLANJ has been exporting for the past four years to Hong Kong, Japan, the US, Canada and Europe, however, this is the company's first deal in the Chinese market and will help safeguard four manufacturing jobs with the potential of creating a further four if further orders arise.

The opportunity arose with Sun Fashion during the CHIC exhibition in Beijing where SLANJ was exhibiting on the Scottish Pavilion supported by Scottish Development International (SDI).

Brian Halley, founder of SLANJ said "Currently most of our revenue comes from our SLANJ Highlandwear retail outlets, but with the worldwide golf tourism market estimated to be worth more than £600 million a year and China, in particular, seeing significant growth in new courses and it becoming the game of choice for the wealthy who love the idea of plaid products 'Made in Scotland' the 'Home of Golf', I believe there are huge opportunities for us in this market.

"This is a huge order for us and as we're already busy, it will not only safeguard manufacturing jobs but will also give me the good problem of sourcing skilled machinists.

"Having the opportunity to exhibit at events such as CHIC is so important to help us make these important connections and it’s thanks to the support from Scottish Enterprise and its international arm, Scottish Development International, that we've been able to secure this deal."

Scottish Enterprise head of textiles Cathy Black said: "Supporting more companies to open up new markets overseas is a key priority for us in helping to grow Scotland's textiles sector and achieve its ambitious export targets by 2017. One of the most successful ways of doing this is through helping ambitious companies to attend key global events and exhibitions such as CHIC, which not only creates the perfect opportunity to make important connections and relationships, but also lets the company see and hear firsthand the opportunities available to them.

"SLANJ is a great example of how this happens in practice and I wish Brian and his company every success with this new order and hope it’s the start of more to come."

Sun Fashion is a manufacturing tailor in Shanghai which makes 5,000 suits a year at its factory where it currently employs 70 staff. The company has selected 10 tartans from SLANJS selection of more than a 100 to introduce to its existing wealthy and celebrity customer base.