All change after 25 years…

Hatton Textiles, was founded 25 years ago by Managing Director, Jim Hopper. Jim has grown Hatton into one of the UK’s leading names in ‘own label’ textiles and after a quarter century at the helm has announced that he has decided to retire.

Having sold his controlling share to branded clothing specialist The Purple Company Ltd, Jim will retain the title of Managing Director until a successful hand over to new Sales Manager Richard King has been completed.

As Jim explains;

‘Richard first worked in the textiles industry in 1996 managing tailored uniform and retail supply contracts and now brings this experience to Hatton. I can see that my business is going to be cared for and continue to grow with a fresh pair of eyes and I can retire to spend more time on my boat. Richard has already brought in new product ideas and identified new routes to market, which have proven themselves in a very short time. This kind of succession is vital in allowing established businesses to move with the times and allow business owners like myself the time to finally enjoy the fruits of a long hard graft.’

New Sales Manger, Richard King said;

‘A chance meeting led to discussions with Jim and his colleagues at Hatton Textiles and I grabbed the opportunity to work with this well respected team. Having spent some time identifying the opportunities for growth we are now developing additional product ranges and a new supply chain allowing us to target bigger spending clients. Our niche in European manufacture which allows us to be extremely flexible in delivery times and low minimum order quantities will provide the springboard for this growth. With a 5 year plan now in place I can see that whilst there is a lot of work to do, there are some tremendous opportunities out there.’

The business has become known as the leading name in branded woven towels, supplying only to resellers their client list reads like a dream team including household names like Harrods, Burberrys and St Andrews Links Golf Course. Local to their head office Hatton supply branded clothing, team wear and towels to most of the region’s leading sports clubs including both Exeter City FC and Exeter Chiefs RFC. With the new team and a growth strategy for the future, Hatton textiles is one of the few fortunate businesses to be looking to a bright future.