Jack Masters Ltd
Knitwear Manufacterer
We employee 40 people who, between them, have an in-depth understanding of knitwear manufacture. Our home city of Leicester has been the historic centre of the garment industry in the UK for almost 200 years, and the special skills required to produce our very high-quality knitwear have been handed down through the generations.
What is so amazing about working with British wool? It’s a love it or hate it relationship, back in the day only one or two types were actually ‘scratchy’. If you invest in a £100 British wool jumper, you can in fact save £1000 on you heating bill and this is what is so often overlooked when people buy acrylic.
If any/ what have been your challenges with working with British wool and a local way of working? Color limitation has been a big thing and traditionally British wool has been too scratchy. Infrastructure in this country is the main problem you also need the end customer to also understand the end product and people don’t seem to understand it like they understand merino wool.
What gauge of Knitwear do you sell? i.e fine gauge 10-12gg or more chunky knits such as 7-5gg? Between 5 and 7gg and we are starting to use whole garment machines which is 5 and 8gg.
Do you finish onsite? If not, is it convenient or what would be your ideal situation? Yes, all in finished on site.
Do you find that customers are becoming more interested in British wool? Yes and no. Consumers yes, customers less so (depends on the price point) and without telling the backstory that is just on aesthetics only.
On a scale of 1- 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 excellent) how much do you think your business has improved in the below areas as a result of good working practices and environmental standards?
Waste Production - 7 (off-cuts, production)
Plastic Pollution - 7 (packaging)
Water Waste - 8 (dyeing and finishing)
Energy Consumption - 6 (shipping, machinery etc)