Jaeger, the 129 year old fashion brand, is planning to return some of its clothing manufacturing to the UK, some 15 years after it was off-shored.
Most of Jaegers clothing is produced in Asia, but the company now wants to return it closer to home and start manufacturing in the UK, as well as Italy, Portugal and Turkey. The idea behind the move is to speed up production from factory to the shop floor, but also increase the quality of this historic brand.
As well as returning the production of this British icon to its roots, the chief executive, Colin Henry also is investing £25 million over five years to return the company to profit. He plans to increase sales by 25 – 30 per cent by 2018 and refurbish the chains 40 shops. He also intends to increase marketing and invest in the online side of the business.
Speaking of the five year strategy, Henry said: “There are business opportunities because Jaeger doesn’t have an international business, it has no wholesale business and it has very little ecommerce business to speak of. It’s the first time we’ve had a strategy as comprehensive as this.”
When asked about falling profits, Henry was totally honest and blamed their pricing.
He said: “The inconvenient truth is that the prices are too high for the product we are trying to sell. It will be more realistic pricing. We need to offer great value for money.”
Are you a fan of Jaeger’s clothing range? Do you welcome the move to bring the manufacturing of their garments back to the UK?
Please pass on to Chief Executive Colin Henry of Jaeger Tailoring Ltd
That he should come back to Kilmarnock as many of his former employees .. Myself included are already trained to produce the Highest quality garments that Jaeger Tailoring is known for World Wide.
Kilmarnock is in need of a lift as far as manufacturing goes as our last Big Company Johnnie Walkers has recently closed down & that many of JW employees were previously Jaeger employees.
I’m sure the town would welcome Jaegers back to our once Industrial Town.
Feel free to pass on my email address
Thanking you in advance
Carol Greer