I saw that too - great that they are a real mix of craftsmen/women, many of whom have other part-time jobs. This was always going to happen once wages and the cost of living went up in places like China. I remember seeing an article a couple of years ago about companies in the North of England re-employing women who'd worked as machinists 20-30 years before to train new machinists before their skills were lost forever. Glad it's coming back.
I read the Alpkit article and felt that despite the fact that there is so much high-quality kit out there right now (all be it designed in the UK and US) but manufactured in China, Vietnam or other far eastern lands, that I would be more than happy to pay more for the same standard of equipment/clothing if its origin were here in the UK. I know as a student of economics why the current status quo is what it is, but ultimately should the monetary bottom line be the be-all-and-end-all?
Oh Andy, finally we're on the same wave-length. I've been 'supporting' (buying their stuff) for years now. And you're right, the rag trade in Lancashire was the silicon valley of its day, my grandmother being one of it's movers and shakers (allegedly... lost in family folk-lore). Yes, we need to start seeing the bigger picture in terms of our purchasing decisions. Brexit was perhaps in part, a response to this globalisation of trade, but there's a distinct danger that it only serves to amplify these currents. Sorry to mention the B word, but I have to say, that there's an unhealthy side to 'buy British' - the xenophobic, racist impulse in a large part of our societies. And what climbing has taught me above all else, is the appreciation of our common humanity, and the ever greater need to start to learn co-operating with each on this planet, fragile as we are.
This is unfortunately an unnecessarily tricky subject, but is so - perhaps - because the majority of people these days have no connection to making anything, only buying, which is a very complacent attitude (a society that no longer wishes to make things, be that babies or stuff, is doomed). I view Brexit like Black Wednesday, it can be both a huge negative and a huge positive, someone will be crushed under it and some will rise, but has to be measured over perhaps 50 years, just as the destruction of Japan and Germany, and the death of millions, ended up as a victory for the defeated (most don't know that Germany came out of rationing before the UK!).
I saw that too - great that they are a real mix of craftsmen/women, many of whom have other part-time jobs. This was always going to happen once wages and the cost of living went up in places like China. I remember seeing an article a couple of years ago about companies in the North of England re-employing women who'd worked as machinists 20-30 years before to train new machinists before their skills were lost forever. Glad it's coming back.
Preaching from the pulpit to the converted here
But I obviously have a bias ( or an interest) here .
But it’s the main reason I started up my little business is genuine love ( if that is possible in a piece of apparel) for manufacturing in Yorkshire
That and the fact I hate seeing clothes designed for landfill
Jon what is your business?
Softshell.ie
I resell buffalosystems clothing into Ireland and Europe ( but mainly to meet great people, not to make money. Buffalo people tend to be sound people)
I read the Alpkit article and felt that despite the fact that there is so much high-quality kit out there right now (all be it designed in the UK and US) but manufactured in China, Vietnam or other far eastern lands, that I would be more than happy to pay more for the same standard of equipment/clothing if its origin were here in the UK. I know as a student of economics why the current status quo is what it is, but ultimately should the monetary bottom line be the be-all-and-end-all?
A great point Andy! I saw this on their newsletter recently too!
Oh Andy, finally we're on the same wave-length. I've been 'supporting' (buying their stuff) for years now. And you're right, the rag trade in Lancashire was the silicon valley of its day, my grandmother being one of it's movers and shakers (allegedly... lost in family folk-lore). Yes, we need to start seeing the bigger picture in terms of our purchasing decisions. Brexit was perhaps in part, a response to this globalisation of trade, but there's a distinct danger that it only serves to amplify these currents. Sorry to mention the B word, but I have to say, that there's an unhealthy side to 'buy British' - the xenophobic, racist impulse in a large part of our societies. And what climbing has taught me above all else, is the appreciation of our common humanity, and the ever greater need to start to learn co-operating with each on this planet, fragile as we are.
This is unfortunately an unnecessarily tricky subject, but is so - perhaps - because the majority of people these days have no connection to making anything, only buying, which is a very complacent attitude (a society that no longer wishes to make things, be that babies or stuff, is doomed). I view Brexit like Black Wednesday, it can be both a huge negative and a huge positive, someone will be crushed under it and some will rise, but has to be measured over perhaps 50 years, just as the destruction of Japan and Germany, and the death of millions, ended up as a victory for the defeated (most don't know that Germany came out of rationing before the UK!).