Emma visited Barbour House and Factory last week.
Whilst there Emma met with Steve Buck, Managing Director, and Brenda Readman-Bell, Group Finance Director, to discuss the company and their plans for the future. She was then taken on a tour of the factory and walked through the process of making the famous Barbour jacket. Emma also had the chance met with students and graduates from the Barbour Academy who told her about their experiences learning and working for the company.
Barbour was established in 1894 in the Market Place in South Shields, moving to its current location in 1981. It is currently owned by the 5th generation of the Barbour family and has a presence in 40 countries worldwide, including Italy, the USA and Japan.
It employs over 700 people, 480 of whom are based in the North East, and is one of the largest employers in South Shields. The factory produces around 3,300 of their iconic jackets every week with each jacket taking between sixty and ninety-five minutes to make.
Emma said:
“Barbour is one of our truly great businesses, not just in South Shields but also throughout the UK and I was thrilled to be shown around their factory and offices today.
“It is great news that a fifth production line has just been introduced and the international popularity of their products just goes to show that the ‘Made in the UK’ label is still very much in demand.”