UK's DMU backs new textiles industry body

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is backing a new textile manufacturers’ federation launched at the Houses of Parliament. The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers’ Federation (ATMF) aims to revive the historic trade of textiles manufacturing in Leicester with the aim of a more ethical and sustainable textiles sector, acting as a voice for suppliers.

The launch was supported by representatives from textiles and garment manufacturers, Leicester City Council deputy mayor Councillor Adam Clarke, Fashion Enter and DMU, the university said on its website.

“We are delighted that the UK Government is recognising our efforts in Leicester and further afield, to support textile and apparel manufacturers. It is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to launch the federation at the House of Commons, and this only adds to the gravitas of our mission. We already have the backing of a large number of businesses from across the supply chain so we know there is a very real need to create a strong supplier voice. We have also drawn support locally from senior level organisations including Leicester City Council, De Montfort University and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. The ATMF aims to promote ‘Brand Leicester’ within the MADE IN UK umbrella,” Sajjad Khan, founder of ATMF, said.

The ATMF aims to support the garment supply chain with compliance, auditing and safeguarding jobs through collaborative partnerships. DMU has been part of a £500,000 Community Renewal Fund programme working with Leicester City Council and Fashion Enter to support local textile manufacturers. In six months, it has supported 23 local companies with innovation planning to look at how they can bring new ways of working to grow their businesses.

Professor Rachel Granger, research director for Creative and Heritage industries, has been part of the CRF programme and attended the launch. “DMU is deeply committed to empowering local businesses to restructure this important sector. Many of the power structures and inequalities that the sector is facing are not unique to Leicester or indeed textiles and reflect wider inequalities embedded in the supply chain. The challenge now is to rebuild confidence in the sector and to support structural change to higher value areas through a sustained programme of reskilling and innovation, supported by stakeholders, such as DMU,” Granger explained.