AMA Group has confirmed it will open a new factory in County Durham making clothes for a selection of major high street retailers, supermarkets and designer labels.
The new factory will start production in Peterlee in April and will manufacturer a range of garments, mostly for women, including dresses, skirts, blouses and swimwear.
The factory will initially take on 50 workers with another 50 expected to join the workforce In 2015.
As well as production jobs, a consultancy service at the site will support design and product development jobs.
The North East was once a vibrant textile manufacturing hub serving the UK and international markets.
As production moved east however, the sector dwindles and jobs declined.
David Price, one of the directors responsible for the AMA Group factory investment said: “I genuinely believe we can lead the revival of the industry, not just in east Durham but the North-East as a whole.”
Mr Price is confident that a renaissance in UK textile manufacturing is achievable and sustainable due to rising consumer interest in the sourcing of products and retailer dissatisfaction with the lack of flexibility offeed by far flung suppliers.
“These factors were the driving force behind us thinking seriously about bringing manufacturing back to the area,” he stated.
Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business division, has supported the AMA Group’s plans and helped its search for premises.
Joanne Urquhart-Arnold, business development area manager commented: “Not only will this see the creation of more than 100 jobs and support young people into secure employment, it will also see the revival of an industry that was once one of the area’s most important employers.”
