User:Trutex/Trutex

Trutex Ltd is a long established and well known school uniform company based in Clitheroe, Lancashire. The business has been manufacturing and supplying uniform for over 150 years and is the UK’s first Carbon Neutral specialist schoolwear provider. Trutex is also an active member of the Schoolwear Association and a passionate supporter of providing ethically sourced, quality uniform for school children across the UK and overseas.

History
Established in 1865 as Clitheroe Shirtings Ltd, the company initially weaved fabrics for nearby businesses and in 1900 started to produce school uniform items, after an increase in the number of schools introducing uniform. In 1920 the company was purchased by W H Charnley, with its head office based in Grindleton, which was to be the company’s headquarters for the next 70 years. The brand name ‘Trutex’ was introduced in the mid 1920’s; it became so popular that the company changed its name to Trutex in 1965.

In the late 1960’s the company was floated on the stock exchange, having experienced annual growth of between 10-12% for the previous 12 years. The business, then owned by Tootal Broadhurst Lee started to move production overseas in order to stay competitive in the market and the business continued to grow. Trutex was then taken over by Coats Viyella in the late 1980’s. During the 1990’s the business failed to meet demand of their core garments and the company made a loss for the first time. It was in 1992 that Trutex head office moved to its now current location of Jubilee Mill, Clitheroe.

Trutex continued to struggle in the face of more intense competition in the sector in the early 2000’s. Despite a management buyout in 2005 the business continued to struggle in terms of profitability and was acquired by investment company Endless LLP in 2010. With the appointment of a new management team, the company underwent a period of restructructuring and transition that has since led to steady growth. Expansion has also taken place through the introduction of new brands such as AKOA sportswear in 2011 and the acquisition of John Hall Schoolwear in 2013 which saw Trutex return to UK manufacturing for the first time in over a decade.

In 2014 the management team successfully completed a management buy-out from Endless leaving the business in a strong financial position.

Organisation
Based in Clitheroe, Lancashire, Trutex employs over 120 people at their head office and offshore which supplies uniform across the UK and internationally. Trutex celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2015.