Balmoral Knitwear goes into liquidation

Ayrshire-based knitwear manufacturer Balmoral Knitwear closed its doors for the last time on Monday, February 19, following a difficult period.

A total of 43 people have lost their jobs as a result of the closure of the 123-year-old textile factory. A statement from liquidator RSM said: “The need for organisations to reduce costs and seek the lowest possible price for goods, often from overseas, has led to another blow for the Scottish knitwear industry.”

RSM added that the company could not continue due to increased competition from low cost garments from offshore, the rising cost of materials and the devaluation of the pound.

Mike Carden and Ian Pollard have looked after Balmoral’s sales of schoolwear, corporatewear,  retail, promotional and sportswear for decades. The pair will continue operating as a separate business under the Rannerdale name and have arranged for many of the same stock styles made by Balmoral Knitwear to be available from Charles Kirk & Co in the same yarns and shades.

Plans are also being put into place to continue the supply of the huge number of bespoke styles of knitwear for schoolwear, corporatewear, cricket and retail.

A spokesman for Charles Kirk said: “While economic conditions are not easy at the moment with increases in input prices due to volatile exchange markets, Charles Kirk is experienced in both the schoolwear and corporatewear markets and can offer a similar bespoke service, as previously offered by Balmoral Knitwear.

“Mike Carden and Ian Pollard have a thorough knowledge of the schoolwear and corporatewear markets and we are delighted that they will be helping our customers both old and new through a difficult period.”

Mike Carden added: “We would very much like to thank everyone who has contacted us so far with their best wishes; we have been doing this for 30 years in my case and 20 years in Ian’s case.”