Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Redditch

Redditch and the Textile Tradition

Redditch was once the world centre of needle manufacturing. From the eighteenth century onwards, local factories produced vast quantities of sewing needles, fishing hooks and related products that were exported globally. The Forge Mill Needle Museum preserves this heritage and tells the story of an industry that clothed and connected the world. Needles were inseparable from the textile trade, and that history gives Redditch a unique place in the story of British textiles.

Today, textile manufacturing in the West Midlands has evolved toward specialist, high-value products. Carpet production remains strong in nearby Kidderminster, while technical textiles, workwear, upholstery fabrics and sewing supplies continue to be produced across the region and supplied to Redditch businesses.

How We Selected These Manufacturers

We considered textile manufacturers and brands with connections to Redditch or the West Midlands, or that supply local businesses. Criteria included heritage, product quality, innovation, sustainability practices and reputation. The list is in no particular order.

The Top 10 Textile Manufacturers Relevant to Redditch

1. Entaco

Entaco continues Redditch's needle-making legacy, producing sewing, knitting and craft needles and accessories under well-known brand names. Its products connect the town's heritage with today's crafting and textile communities.

2. Brintons

Brintons is a world-renowned carpet manufacturer based in Kidderminster, producing woven carpets for luxury hotels, casinos, cruise ships and homes. Its design expertise and quality are internationally respected.

3. Victoria Plc

Victoria Plc is a major flooring group with its origins in Kidderminster carpet manufacturing. It now produces a wide range of carpets, rugs and flooring products across Europe.

4. Camira Fabrics

Camira designs and manufactures upholstery fabrics for commercial interiors, transport and office furniture, with a strong focus on sustainable materials such as wool and recycled yarns.

5. Ulster Carpets

Ulster Carpets produces high-quality woven carpets for hospitality and residential markets, supplying projects throughout the UK, including the Midlands.

6. Alex Begg

Alex Begg is a Scottish weaver of luxury cashmere and fine wool accessories, representing the premium end of British textile manufacturing.

7. Dewhirst

Dewhirst is a long-established clothing manufacturer supplying major UK retailers, with expertise in tailoring, shirts and garment sourcing.

8. Penn Textile Solutions

Penn Textile Solutions specialises in technical textiles and nonwovens for automotive, construction and industrial applications, reflecting the growing importance of performance fabrics.

9. Abingdon Flooring

Abingdon Flooring manufactures carpets and flooring for residential and contract markets, with a focus on quality and value.

10. Halley Stevensons

Halley Stevensons is a traditional manufacturer of waxed and waterproof cotton fabrics used in outdoor clothing and luggage, admired for its heritage craftsmanship.

Textile Industry Trends in 2026

Sustainability is transforming textile manufacturing. Brands are adopting recycled fibres, natural materials and closed-loop production. Consumers increasingly value British-made products for their quality and traceability, supporting a revival of domestic manufacturing in niche markets. Technical textiles, used in vehicles, healthcare, construction and protective clothing, represent a significant growth area.

Digital printing, automation and on-demand production are reducing waste and enabling customisation. Textile manufacturers are also investing in water and energy efficiency to cut costs and environmental impact.

Opportunities for Redditch

Redditch's engineering and precision manufacturing skills are relevant to textile machinery, components and technical fabrics. Local workwear and uniform suppliers serve the town's manufacturing, healthcare and logistics employers. The crafting market, closely linked to the town's needle heritage, continues to thrive among hobbyists and makers.

Choosing a Textile Manufacturer

Businesses sourcing textiles should consider quality standards, minimum order quantities, lead times and sustainability credentials. Ask about certifications for organic, recycled or responsibly sourced materials. Local and UK-based manufacturers can offer shorter supply chains and greater flexibility, while overseas suppliers may offer lower costs for large volumes.

Preserving Heritage

The Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre in Redditch help residents and visitors understand the town's industrial past. This heritage provides inspiration for designers and makers and a sense of pride for the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Redditch famous for needles? Skilled local craftsmen, access to water power along the River Arrow and the town's location in the industrial Midlands combined to make Redditch the leading needle-making centre in the world by the nineteenth century. At its peak, the town produced the majority of the world's sewing needles.

Can I still buy needles made with Redditch heritage? Yes. Several well-known needle and craft accessory brands trace their roots to the town, and they remain popular with quilters, dressmakers and embroiderers who value quality and tradition.

Is British textile manufacturing growing? Specialist segments are thriving. Demand for premium, traceable and sustainable products has supported growth in luxury carpets, technical fabrics, heritage clothing and small-batch production.

How can businesses source sustainable textiles? Look for certifications covering organic or recycled fibres, ask manufacturers about water and energy use, and consider British suppliers to reduce transport emissions and gain greater supply chain transparency.

Final Thoughts

Redditch's needle-making heritage links the town to centuries of textile history. Today, the West Midlands and the wider UK continue to produce outstanding textiles, from luxury carpets to technical fabrics. The manufacturers above showcase the quality, innovation and sustainability that define modern British textiles.