When we started reproofing jackets, we'd often come across the same label sewn into the lining of most. A little research told us of a company sitting over the hill of the M62 who'd made the fabric for brands such as Belstaff, Barbour, Cabourn, Saint Laurent, North Face and pretty much everyone who has ever made outerwear of note. 

British Millerain began developing fabrics towards the end of the 1800's for garments set for the armed forces. They patented their first rainproof finish in 1894 and since built a reputation as the leading manufacturer of waxed cottons working with brands such as this listed above. It's fair to say they have history. 

A few weeks back we received an invite to pay the factory a visit and duly took that up with the 25 mile drive over to Rochdale last Wednesday. 

I was greeted by Sales Manager Adam Getty who played host as we chatted through our unhinged love for all things wax cotton alongside catching up on the stuff you only catch up on when catching up with people from within the industry. Adam's own story was interesting enough but then he pulled out all of the old archive paperworks and contracts plus archive pieces from Belstaff and CP company. If they don't set up their own archive in the way of an in-house museum soon, I may add that to my own mission list to simply satisfy my geekery. 

We then took a walk around the factory to see the machines in action. I will hold my hands up to admit my understanding of any kind of engineering stops at zero but I couldn't not be impressed as the mechanisms, hows and whys the machine did what it did. It was fascinating to see the fabric we work with daily from the other side of the garments life. 

It's factories like this that give me real hope for the future of manufacturing in the UK. MASSIVE expansion works in the yard show that they have more than hope too as they continue to keeping growing in both developing the products they do and creating the stuff that keeps lots of brands in business. 

On a personal note, being recognised by a company the size of British Millerain for what we do is a little hard to deal with. Mallin & Son was never meant to get this big but here we are. Better still, we will be working together with Millerain as they add their seal of approval to the work we do. over the next few months we will be switching over to their wax and adding their branding to every jacket we reproof. 

It may have even given us the taste to make our own jacket... 

Thanks for reading.

Ryan