7 December 2009, Hawick – Johnstons of Elgin, a leading Scottish
manufacturer of cashmere knitwear and accessories has appointed Nick Bannerman as
the new Managing Director of their Hawick factory and a main board director of
the holding company. Mr Bannerman who is currently CEO of Kinloch Anderson in
Edinburgh was previously Managing Director of Hawick based knitwear manufacturer
Peter Scott for 15 years.
Speaking to the Hawick News, James Sugden, current Managing
Director said: “I have been at the helm now for 22 years, and a recent illness
has made me aware of the need to plan succession in the business.”
"I will be continuing as a main board director, working
on specific projects including the sourcing of our precious cashmere fibre, and
I will be giving Nick every help at Hawick as we continue to develop the
business together."
In July this year Mr Sugden was honoured by Robert Gordon
University in Aberdeen with an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his
services to the textiles industry.
In May this year, as part of its succession planning the
company named James Dracup as their Group Managing Director. Dracup, who has 30
years experience in textiles and has been with the company for eight years,
previously held senior positions at the Sweater Shop brand in the 1990s and Listers
Yarns.
Johnstons manufacturing facility in Elgin weaves cashmere
scarves and knits cashmere gloves on a modern plant of Shima Seiki glove
knitting machines. The company has recently been investing in Shima’s SWG041 Wholegarment
machines for patterned gloves and accessories. Johnstons’ factory in Hawick
produces knitwear and accessories on Shima SES and SWG-V machines in a range of
gauges from 3 to 18. Johnstons report that their factories are currently
extremely busy.
