Scottish cashmere knitwear and accessories brand Johnstons of Elgin was awarded the coveted Gold Award at the UKFT Export Awards which were held at Banqueting Hall in London's Whitehall on Tuesday.

The Gold Award is given to UK companies who boast a long standing record of export success. The UKFT Export Awards recognise those companies who excel at creating UK made and designed products. They acknowledging the export achievements of those companies that have managed to retain domestic production, skills, standards and employment.

The Gold Award is the main Award, sponsored by HSBC, and is given to a company that can demonstrate that exports have been - and will continue to be - of major importance to their profitability. Entrants need to be consistent, well-established, exporters who can show how they have succeeded in international markets.

"I am absolutely delighted to have received the UKFT Gold Award on behalf of all employees in our team at Johnstons of Elgin. We are very proud of the fact that we make sought after luxury products in the UK for some of the most dynamic brands in our sector internationally, create employment within our local communities and demonstrate that textile manufacturing in the UK has a bright future," James Dracup, Group Managing Director of Johnstons of Elgin said.

Known for their luxury cashmere and beautiful tweed products, Johnstons has been manufacturing in Elgin since 1797. Their history is one of quality, resilience and above all outstanding provenance. The company manufactures its knitwear in the famous knitwear town of Hawick in the Scottish borders.

Elgin is the only mill in Scotland to take cashmere from fibre to fabric, and is the relied upon manufacturer for international fashion brands and Savile Row tailors alike. The company employs over 450 people in Elgin and 250 people in Hawick.

The recent and continued financial turmoil in the world has demonstrated the need and importance for a balanced economy, and manufacturing industries in both Scotland and Great Britain play a key part in the British and global economies.

Exporting has always been a core business for Johnstons of Elgin, and in the last two years the company has grown export sales significantly due to increased global demand. In particular, those dynamic developing economies, including China, where there is an appreciation of British taste and style from luxury consumers.

Johnstons of Elgin invests heavily in design, innovation and maintaining quality and is committed to manufacturing under the Made in Scotland label.