Americans from 1978 onwards were walking about in Blantyre clothing.
‘The “Blantyre’s” were a range of tartan and tweed jackets made by a new firm which came to Blantyre in 1977 – a firm landed big orders in the States.
Executex Manufacturing Ltd. was Leeds based and took over the old Hector Powe factory in Blantyre Industrial Estate in January 1977. Since then the firm had ploughed £250,000 into the factory and eventually increased the workforce from its original 150 to 250.
Earlier in 1977 they sent a sales team out to the U.S.A to see if there was a market for a new line in fashion jackets called “Blantyre by Executex.” Since then it had been a classic success story.
Mr Alan Hazelhurst, production director, explained in December 1977: “The Americans really went overboard for the tweed and tartan. We are getting orders for the “Blantyre’s” of 1500 to 2000 a time.” Production started on the American orders in January 1978 and orders rolled in.
At the end of 1977, production stood around 750 suits a week but Mr. Hazelhurst wanted to boost that to 2000. Obviously that meant a bigger workforce and they took on another 20 machinists. Speaking on their arrival in Blantyre, he said, “Executex are glad they decided to come to Blantyre. Everything looks cheery for the new year. When we send our jackets out there we will be sending a few lucky workers out with them to provide a back-up service.”
Did YOU work with Executex?
