A Leicester menswear business is producing its clothing entirely within the city as part of a wider effort to use local manufacturers and shorten its supply chain.
REFLEKT, which was established in 2022, works with several textile businesses in Leicester to produce T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and sweatpants.
The production process involves Discovery Knitting, which produces the cotton fabric, Leicester Dyers, which handles the dyeing, and garment manufacturer Thee Maker, where the material is cut and sewn.
Each stage takes place within Leicester, reducing the distance travelled between the production of the fabric and the completion of the finished garments.
Continuing Leicester’s Textile Tradition
Leicester has a long history of clothing and textile production, particularly in hosiery, knitwear and garment manufacturing.
Although much of the British fashion industry now relies on overseas production, Leicester continues to have a network of mills, dye houses, manufacturers and skilled workers.
REFLEKT’s production model is one example of how local businesses are using this existing infrastructure to manufacture clothing on a smaller scale.
The company was formed following the supply chain disruption experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when businesses across several industries faced delays involving imported materials and products.
Working with Local Manufacturers
Using businesses based in the same city allows the different stages of production to take place relatively close together.
This can make it easier to monitor the manufacturing process and reduce the amount of transport required between suppliers.
It also provides work for local textile businesses at a time when manufacturers are facing pressure from rising costs, overseas competition and changing consumer demand.
The garments are not produced in one factory. Instead, the process is divided between independent Leicester businesses specialising in different areas of textile production.
A Small-Scale Approach to British Manufacturing
REFLEKT currently produces a limited range of casual menswear and says it plans to expand gradually while continuing to use Leicester-based suppliers.
The business is one of a number of smaller clothing companies exploring local or UK-based manufacturing rather than relying entirely on international supply chains.
Its development also highlights the manufacturing skills that remain in Leicester and the role local textile firms continue to play in the British clothing industry.
While the scale of production is far smaller than during Leicester’s industrial peak, the city remains an important centre for garment manufacturing and textile expertise.
