Production details

As an independent firm with over 150 years of expertise, we have amassed unique technical knowledge and manufacturing experience. We specialise in waxed cotton and weatherproofed fabrics using responsibly sourced cotton and low impact manufacturing. Based in Dundee, our team of skilled technicians are constantly striving to develop and refine new and existing products. Our processes are incredibly flexible, allowing us the ability to craft huge international orders to minimum quantities of 30 metres in our customers own colours and finishes. With a focus on innovation, we regularly design and build our own bespoke machinery to give us optimum manufacturing capabilities. This means our product range is full of possibilities in terms of colour, handle and performance. As manufacturers and innovators in waxed cotton, we put all of our products through rigorous quality and performance testing processes. And while we are accredited to ISO 9002 standard, we’ll always uncover new improvements in our manufacturing processes to deliver quality and performance. Our product range is vast and is full of possibilities. We have a range of fabrics, from flyweight apparel to heavyweight cotton canvas– and most recently some nylon/cotton and organic cotton options. We have a range of finishes, allowing you to choose the texture, appearance and performance you need. And we can go beyond the standard range of colours to produce the shade you require. This gives huge flexibility for designers when creating garments and luggage. Our products are exported around the world and are showcased each season in London, Paris, New York, Munich and Milan. With years of experience in meeting our customers’ challenging specifications, our development team is ready to deliver a unique, bespoke product.

Turnaround Time
6-8 weeks
File Types
Pantone Swatches
Minimum Order
£150
Production Access
Works With
  • Large business
  • Small companies
  • Professionals
  • General public
  • Students
Capacity
  • Sample production
  • Prototypes
  • Short run
  • Medium run
  • Large run

History

The concept of waxed cotton was originally developed in the early 15th century by sailors. Scottish North Sea herring fleets operating from east coast ports began treating flax sailcloth with fish oils and grease in an attempt to waterproof their sails, keeping them light and efficient. Remnants of these sails were used as capes to withstand the high winds and sea spray, keeping the sailors warm and dry. These capes were the forerunner to the fisherman’s slicker. The east coast Scottish textile manufacturers, many of who had their own fleets of sailing ships, would bring in linen and flax from the Baltic’s, hence our “Baltic Works”. With care and a commitment to innovation, sailcloth evolved and by the mid-1850s, was made from lighter-weight double-fold cotton yarns, treated with linseed oil. Early Royal Navy sailing ships and tea clippers were amongst the first to use these lightweight cotton sails, famously “The Discovery“, that still sits in Dundee’s port today. However, linseed oils yellow and stiffen through weathering. Through this oxidation process, the oil would eventually lose its water-proofing qualities. This initiated further innovation and the development of alternative waterproofing compounds. In the years that followed, various treatments were applied to cotton in an attempt to find the most effective, and the combination of densely woven cotton, impregnated with a paraffin waxed coating proved most successful. Our history of innovation has allowed us to create many different variations on this, resulting in a unique product offer. These fabric constructions are still used to this day and the wax treatments have been developed to give longer-lasting, waterproofing finishes. With over 150 years of experience, we create many thousands of meters of waxed cotton every year, with each roll produced to custom specifications. The beauty of waxed cotton is its durability and longevity, it is built to last. The fabrics are breathable, the wax adjusting to ambient temperature to be softer/more breathable in warm weather and stiffer/more windproof in cold conditions. Its proofing can be maintained by applying wax to the surface, keeping it soft, supple and weather-resistant. The densely woven cotton is strong and reliable, while the finish ensures that the fabric looks better with age. The wax naturally picks up marks and creases which add to the character of the fabric itself. Garments continually adapt to the wearers' personalities, creating unique, one-of-a-kind products.

Nearby manufacturers

Tayport, Fife

Scott and Fyfe

Manufacturer of technical textiles with industrial processes for current and ...

TYPE
Fabricator
CATEGORY
Textiles
Fife

Di Gilpin

Di Gilpin is a knitwear design studio based in Fife dedicated to using the be...

TYPE
Fabricator
CATEGORY
Textiles
Kinross

Todd & Duncan Ltd

Todd and Duncan produce high end cashmere and lambswool yarns. In addition to...

TYPE
Material Supplier
CATEGORY
Textiles
Montrose, Angus

Montrose Rope & Sail Co Ltd

Sailmaker and manufacturer of robust kit bags. Services include design and ma...

TYPE
Fabricator
CATEGORY
Textiles