Job hopes as shirt firm set to expand

Up to 190 jobs could be created in Derry as a result of a multi-million pound investment in a shirt factory announced today.

Quality shirt manufacturer, Glenaden is to pump €3.4m into its design business and also hopes to introduce new branded products for export markets.

The company, which was formed in a management buyout from Coats Viyella Clothing Menswear in 2000, recently launched the ‘‘1’’ brand of shirts in stores in the UK.

Among the major international retailers it supplies shirts to is Thomas Pink.

Announcing the €3.4m investment at the company’s Trench Road manufacturing plant in Derry, Glenaden managing director Andrew Lowden said the recent launch of ‘‘1’’ was essential to the firm’s drive to ensure its continued competitiveness and long term growth.

‘‘Our decision to implement this expansion plan has also been influenced by the response the new branded concept has received in extensive market research in the independent menswear sector,’’ he said.

‘‘To support the brand initiative we’ve set up a fully-equipped design unit under a professional designer who will have a pivotal role in the development of the new brand.

‘‘We see this expansion as another stage in the successful repositioning of the company from a volume manufacturer to becoming a producer of small volume shirts capable of rapid turnaround runs of higher work content and increased styling detail at consistent high quality.’’

The investment is a major boost for the clothing industry which has come under pressure in recent years from low cost suppliers.

It was welcomed today by the acting deputy chief executive of Northern Ireland’s Industrial Development Board, Lawson McDonald who commended the company for the way it had carved out a market for itself as a supplier of quality shirts.

‘‘This important expansion may also benefit existing local suppliers and other potential partners in the fabric sector currently exploring business co-operation projects with Glenaden,’’ he claimed.