Vision recently hosted a meeting for the Airedale branch of The Embroiderers’ Guild.  Founded in 1906, The Embroiderers’ Guild has over 22,000 members globally, with 195 branches and 55 Young Embroiderers’ Groups.  It builds awareness of stitch and textile art by offering a comprehensive programme of contemporary exhibitions, workshops, courses, lectures and tours throughout the UK and abroad. The meeting was very well attended with over 35 members travelling to our Head Office in Blackburn.

Rod Nutter, Commercial Director of Hilden and Liddell started proceedings by presenting on our rich heritage, including how we manufactured and supplied linens for HMS Titanic and also some of our other more prestigious client names. His presentation showed how as a group we supply rags to the Ministry of Defence for them to clean weapons, through to premium quality linens to the best hotels in the world. The session culminated by explaining the latest developments using RFID and how cotton crops and oil prices influence the price of our finished products.

Keith Rowlands, Managing Director of Vision Assurance, followed with a session explaining the entire process we go through, from the production process, to design, through to the packaged product appearing on the shelf in a retail store.  Keith also touched on the very sensitive subjects of sustainability, green credentials, and labour conditions, explaining how the governance of these areas worked and how committed we are as a company to ensure the legislation and best practice guidelines are always strictly adhered to.

To round the presentations off Julie Cawood, Sales Director of Whitaker Services, explained how the use of colour and texture in an interior design scheme can have an enormous impact on the well-being and safety of the elderly and those with a visual impairment. She also demonstrated that flame retardant regulations relating to fabrics in a care setting do not have to impede on design and a 5* hotel bed linen look can be achieved using modern manufacturing techniques.

After the presentations, the visitors had lunch and the opportunity to look at our jacquard weave design archives, dating back to the 1900’s. They also had the chance to take a look at a collection of the linens we supply to the best hotels and spas in the world.