The textiles industry in Scotland

2006 statistics for the textiles industry in Scotland

  • There were 450 companies in total, employing 17,000 people
  • 40 per cent of companies increased turnover, rising to a total of £1,084 million. A further 32 per cent of companies indicated turnover remained the same
  • 90 per cent of companies are Scottish-owned, while the majority of those that are foreign-owned continue to have their decision makers based in Scotland
  • 40 per cent of companies export overseas, accounting for £340 million, with the USA as the biggest export market, followed by France, Germany, Italy and Japan
  • A third of companies made new capital investments over the past year
  • Almost half of all companies reported increasing levels of productivity, leading to increased profit margins
(Source: Scottish Textiles Industry Survey 2007)

Research reports

You can download recent research reports commissioned by us:

Microsoft Word Document Tartan industry economic appraisal report 2007 (Word, 736kb)

PDF document Scottish Textiles industry survey 2007 (PDF, 944kb)

PDF document Cashmere economic impact assessment 2007 (PDF, 349kb)

Trends information service

You can access our comprehensive trends information service, which includes regular presentations and access to a trends library.

The latest fabric and styling information is available to you in hard copy and online from the Worth Global Style Network (WGSN) service.

WGSN is the world's leading online research, trend analysis and news service and annual company subscriptions normally cost up to £15,000, but we subscribe on behalf of Scottish textiles companies.

This is all available for a small annual subscription, subsidised by us, in association with The Lighthouse in Glasgow.

For further information call The Lighthouse on 0141 225 8424, or email cec@thelighthouse.co.uk