Scottish Barbour site to close
J Barbour & Sons, the name synonymous with wax jackets, has announced the imminent closure of its knitwear and weaving plant in the Scottish Borders, which will result in the loss of 46 jobs.
The Tweedbank site near Galashiels sought voluntary redundancies last year when plans were made to reduce operations at the plant plans which the company had hoped to be temporary.
But having engaged in engthy discussions and negotiationswith the union Unite, the decision has been reached to close the plant completely. The closure takes place on the 31 January 2008.
John Barbour born 1849 was raised on a farm in Galloway in West Scotland, the second son of a family whose links can be traced back to the 14th century. Aged 20 he left the farm to try his luck across the border in the north east of England. In 1870 he started business as a traveling draper, married a year later and in 1984 started J Barbour & Sons at 5 Market Place, South Shields. 
Barbour derived an important part of its income from the ship-owners, ship builders and seamen of the port, supplying Beacon brand oilskin coats designed to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen, river, dock and shipyard workers from the worst of the weather.
In 1957, 97% of all competitors who took part in the Scottish 6 Day Event rode in Barbour International Oiled Cotton suits. But in 1977 Barbour made the decision to pull out of the motorcycle clothing market.
The company was taken over in the 1960s by Dame Margaret Barbour - after her husband died. She transformed it, turning the waxed jackets worn by seamen, river workers, motorcyclists and submarine crews into fashion items. Her acute eye must have anticipated that Scotland's market for working clothing, like its work was in decline, but by moving into the fashion niche, the high profit margins could make the essentially practical and comfortable adapted garments good business.
Broadening out from its countrywear roots, today the company produces clothing that is designed for a full country lifestyle. As well as jackets and coats, the Barbour wardrobe includes trousers, shirts, socks, midlayers and, knitwear, much of which will no longer be produced in its Galashiels factory. The company's main workforce of around 500, are based at South Shields.
The Borders, known for its declining textile industry, has lost around 5000 jobs since 1998. In 2006, Barbour faced a strike over pay by its workforce but the action was called off after negotiations with management.
Barbour has eight of its own retail shops in the UK, and a presence in 29 countries worldwide including Germany, Holland, Austria, France, the United States, Italy, Spain, Argentina, New Zealand and Japan.
Source: http://www.themanufacturer.com
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Web: http://www.barbour.com/