Sales Manager Richard King, says ‘ during our sales meetings we have spent a lot of time looking at ideas of how to get involved in community or charitable projects, as well as looking into new markets for our core product- towels. It became apparent that we all had different ideas to each other as to which markets to develop and which charities to support, so the answer became obvious—do what you are best at!’ With a market place that extends to every sport and type of event, from golf to boxing, rugby to Crufts every sport and activity seems to use a towel, and as Hatton Textiles are one of the few companies in the UK to produce woven and printed towels the choices were endless.

Subsequently Amanda has landed from a treacherous Abseil from the roof of the local Marks and Spencer’s in aid of the West of England School for the blind. Having agreed to enter another abseil Amanda’s immediate response was ‘I did it….my photo’s will show that I was totally bricking it on the first step off the top- but by the second picture I thought I was one of the SAS crack team and had to try and beat the FAKE SPIDERMAN’

Sarah has run the gruelling Maltese Marathon whilst Helping Heroes and although the photo gives the impression of a confident fit competitor Sarah says ‘My pain was hidden as I was overwhelmed remembering the reason I was running the race – in support of the service men and women wounded in the line of duty – my pain could be nothing in comparison. It is an amazing feeling to complete this challenge and I am now preparing for another, perhaps the London marathon which has always been my dream race’

Both Robin and Richard have registered for their chosen events, a football weekend corporate challenge and a triathlon with the tournament and race taking place later in the summer, as yet for undecided charities. In the meantime there is a competition between the 2 boys to the most weight during the month of April.

Managing Director Robin Lyon-Smith goes on to say, ‘as a business we are keen to support our staff and to give something back to our community, however it is a fraught decision as to what to do for the best. In the meantime whilst I am fighting fit it is only fair that I support Richard in his weight loss prior to his triathlon. My chosen sport, football, keeps me in trim from weekly games, whilst allowing me to network for the business as well!’

Richard concludes, ‘all joking apart we have noticed a different buzz in the office since beginning this campaign. By focussing on some objectives we get to understand the needs of several target markets, in this case the sport and event industries. This has enabled us to gain new business, and to strengthen Hatton Textiles opportunities for growth in the future. The added bonus is that all the while we are benefitting, we are also putting something back into our preferred causes as well’.

The business which supplies towels to a mix of the UK’s greatest sports clubs and brands including St Andrews golf course, the Queens Racquet Club, Yonex and Harrods Signature has embarked on a major sales offensive including a new website, attendance at various exhibitions throughout the UK and both direct and telesales marketing.

Richard comments, ‘we are fortunate that we have the energy and financial resource to grow this business, however, we are already starting to see an increase in sales from some high profile organisations and without proper and efficient planning and co-ordination this could all be wasted. We spent a considerable amount of time and interviewed some excellent candidates prior to recruiting Sarah, who has the skill sets that we need to ensure that we deliver on our promises’.

Sarah Rooke who recently moved to the South West with her husband has proven herself throughout her career in logistics and transport. The attention to detail, need for effective systems and commitment to deadlines in a fast paced environment provides Sarah with the experience needed to help drive Hatton Textiles forward. As Sales Administrator Sarah will manage all new orders generated and ensure that they are fulfilled effectively, working closely with both clients and suppliers throughout each project; an essential part of the business which in Richard’s words ‘gives him the confidence to generate and develop bigger and higher profile accounts’. With new clients throughtout the UK and Western Europe it seems that the world is getting wrapped up in towels by Hatton Textiles!

Towels are a part of daily life, so much so that most people have a favorite towel. It may carry the branding of their favorite football or sports club, or carry promotional branding but be a useful towel to take to the gym several times a week. If we look in our airing cupboards at home, most household will find towels that they have owned for not just years, but for decades. The towel really has all the attributes of an exceptional promotional brand carrier, longevity of life, high personal value, high perceived value and a competitive price point that is provides exceptional value on a ‘cost per use’ basis.

We brand towels for every business type, without exception from banks to undertakers, drugs companies to sports clubs, Dot com companies to cheese manufacturers. Towels are often seen on television, our own are often seen being used by golfers, tennis players, goal keepers and by thousands when they are used in the gym or on the beach. As we come into the New Year we expect to see an uptake from the world of Golf, as corporate days are booked and clubs wake up to the new season. This is followed by Football and Rugby Clubs looking to restock for the new season. Whilst the big holiday and tour companies will have placed orders in the Autumn, many promotional companies will be looking for beach and pool towels to support their marketing campaigns.

As with all things promotional, towels can be decorated in a number of different ways including, printing, embroidery, Jacquard weaving, double Jacquard panels and dobby borders. Whilst these names may sound technical they are all very cost effective, with printed beach towels costing from as little as £3.00 and Jacquard woven towels from as little as £4.00.

Sizes and names are a cloudy issue, with different weavers offering slightly different sizes, as such when you buy your towels specify firstly the size that you are looking for and then its purpose. Ranging in size from 30 x 30cm to 160 x 90 cm decorated towels can be given a name that outlines their purpose, from face and hand towels to golf, gym and sports towel and finally bath and beach towels. The defining difference between one towel and another is its size and fabric make up—not its name.

Prices are dictated in part also by the fabric make with traditional ‘terry towelling’ starting from 450gsm, which is probably the most popular weight for promotional towels. This can rise to 600gsm for the more luxurious private label retail towels. Finishes like Waffle weaving or ribbed effect and Velour are all available but can add to the price; Velour provides a lovely soft finish with its short pile, but by adding to another process to the towels manufacture and an element of wasted fabric you are also adding as much as 20% to the cost.

Since the inception of the internet we have been approached on a daily basis by organisations from Europe to the Middle East and Far East offering to supply our requirements. Hatton Textiles International have taken the stand to work only with ethical partners that are close to home. This means that for 90% of the products that we supply, we are able to offer an exceptional cost effective product with only a 5 week lead time! The parameters of manufacturing, especially Jacquard weaving are intricate and our manufacturing policy also provides a surety in the quality of our towels and simplifies the communication processes. In fact Bursa in Turkey is still widely accepted as the birth place of towels, and Joseph Jacquard the inventor of Jacquard weaving was born in Lyons in France, so when we are buying in Europe we truly are getting to the people who know best.

With opportunities like the World Cup and Golf Open in 2010 and the Olympics only a couple of years away, now is the time for you and your clients to renew your towels because in the words of Towelie in South Park, you never know when you’ll need a towel!

Free artwork setup and Free delivery throughout Europe.

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.