Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Mid Devon

A Proud Textile Heritage

Textiles have shaped Mid Devon for centuries. The wool trade brought prosperity to Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton during the medieval and Tudor periods, funding grand churches and merchant houses that still define these towns today. In the nineteenth century, John Heathcoat moved his lace-making business to Tiverton, creating a mill that continues to operate as a world-class technical textile manufacturer. Nearby, the Culm Valley's woollen mills, including the historic site at Uffculme, kept spinning and weaving traditions alive.

Today, the textile industry combines this heritage with cutting-edge innovation, sustainability and premium craftsmanship. The manufacturers below are either based in Mid Devon or are leading South West and British mills that supply businesses and designers across the district.

1. Heathcoat Fabrics

Heathcoat Fabrics in Tiverton is one of the UK's most important technical textile manufacturers. Building on more than two centuries of history, it produces high-performance fabrics for applications including parachutes, automotive airbags, medical devices, filtration and protective clothing. It is a cornerstone of Mid Devon's manufacturing economy.

2. Coldharbour Mill

Coldharbour Mill at Uffculme is a preserved working woollen mill that demonstrates traditional spinning and weaving on historic machinery. It produces small batches of yarn and textiles, and plays an important role in preserving the skills and stories of the Culm Valley wool industry.

3. John Arbon Textiles

John Arbon Textiles is a Devon worsted spinning mill producing high-quality yarns from British and responsibly sourced fibres. It is admired by knitters and designers for its traceable supply chain and beautiful colour ranges.

4. Fox Brothers

Fox Brothers, based in Wellington just across the Somerset border, is one of the oldest woollen cloth makers in the world. Famous for its flannels and fine suiting cloth, it supplies tailors and luxury brands internationally.

5. Axminster Carpets

Axminster Carpets, based in East Devon, continues a carpet-making tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. It produces luxury woven wool carpets for homes, hotels and prestigious buildings, using British wool wherever possible.

6. Celtic and Co

Celtic and Co is a South West manufacturer of sheepskin, wool and natural fibre clothing and footwear. Its focus on quality, sustainability and timeless design has earned it a loyal customer base across the UK.

7. Abraham Moon and Sons

Abraham Moon is one of the UK's last vertical woollen mills, handling every stage from raw wool to finished cloth. Its fabrics are used by interior designers, furniture makers and fashion brands, including many independent businesses in Devon.

8. AW Hainsworth

AW Hainsworth is a historic British mill renowned for ceremonial uniform cloth, interior textiles and protective fabrics. Its expertise in technical wool textiles complements the specialist manufacturing found in Mid Devon.

9. Camira Fabrics

Camira designs and manufactures contract upholstery fabrics for offices, transport and hospitality. Its sustainable fabrics, including those made from recycled materials and natural fibres, are widely specified by South West interior designers.

10. Brintons

Brintons is a historic British carpet maker supplying hotels, cruise ships and luxury residences worldwide. Its design-led approach and quality craftsmanship make it a respected name alongside Devon's own carpet heritage.

Trends in Textile Manufacturing

Sustainability is driving major change, with growing demand for British wool, traceable supply chains, recycled fibres and low-impact dyeing. Technical textiles for medical, aerospace, automotive and protective applications are a key growth area, and Mid Devon's Heathcoat Fabrics is at the forefront of this sector. Reshoring is also on the rise, as brands seek shorter, more resilient supply chains closer to home. Heritage mills are using their history and craftsmanship as powerful brand stories in premium markets.

How to Choose a Textile Manufacturer

Consider the type of textile you need, whether technical, fashion, upholstery or craft yarn, and look for manufacturers with proven expertise in that area. Ask about minimum order quantities, lead times, certifications and sustainability credentials. For specialist applications, check testing standards and quality management systems. Visiting a mill can help you understand its capabilities and build a strong working relationship.

Careers and Skills in Textiles

The textile sector offers rewarding careers that combine craft, engineering and design. Technical textile manufacturers need engineers, chemists, quality technicians and machine operators, while heritage mills value skilled weavers, spinners and finishers who keep traditional techniques alive. Apprenticeships provide an excellent route into the industry, allowing young people in Mid Devon to earn while learning specialist skills.

Museums and heritage sites such as Coldharbour Mill play an important educational role, introducing schools and visitors to the history of the wool trade and inspiring the next generation of makers. Local craft businesses, designers and makers also contribute to a vibrant creative economy, selling handmade textiles through markets, galleries and online platforms. Together, they ensure that the district's long association with textiles continues to evolve.

Final Thoughts

Mid Devon's textile story is far from over. From the high-tech looms of Tiverton to the heritage machinery of Uffculme, the district continues to contribute to a British textile industry that is innovative, sustainable and globally respected.