WHEN the founder of Perry Uniform died in 2003, it looked as though the company might not survive.
The Leeds-based school-uniform manufacturer, which was established in 1946, was struggling to cope with increasing costs, and it eventually ran out of money.
The firm finally went into receivership 18 months ago but it was immediately snapped up b
y internet-based retailer Uniform Schoolwear, also based in Leeds.
The company, which now retails under the Perry Uniform brand, manufactures 8,500 blazers a year for independent schools, including Queen Ethelburga's, near York, and sells them via its website.
Bernard Bunting, managing director, said that he bought Perry Uniform in order to buck the trend for manufacturing overseas.
He invested in new premises, new machinery and an internet "intelligent sizing system" which calculates what size blazer parents need to buy when they type in their child's measurements.
"We found out that the company had gone into receivership the day it happened and we were able to put in a bid for its assets," he said.
"We were able to take control of the business and focus on blazers and pleated skirts rather than the knitted garments that the company had previously sold.
"By focusing on the business and the core skills, and combining it with our intelligent
sizing website, we have been able to reduce the cost to parents."
He added: "Our timing could not have been better, with sterling depreciating 20 per
cent against the euro in the last nine months and with soaring wage inflation in Far Eastern sweat shops, Perry is in a strong position to offer a competitive product which is made in England."
Since taking over Perry Uniform, Mr Bunting says that he has been able to reduce uniform prices by eight per cent by cutting out the middle man between manufacture and retail.
He also saved up to 20 manufacturing jobs and relocated the firm from Armley to Farsley where the firm occupies a unit in the historic Springfield Mill, which was built more than 200 years ago.
Leeds has seen a steady decline in its traditional industrial base but Mr Bunting said that Perry's combination of 21st-century technology with local skills would enable it to survive and thrive in the current economic climate.
The firm, which has a turnover of about £2m and pre-tax profits of £120,000, is now looking to expand its supply network to more fee-paying schools, particularly in Yorkshire, and is also developing an apprentice scheme to attract young people into the industry.
Mr Bunting said that he
was also looking forward to the London 2012 Olympics where he hopes to manufacture blazers for umpires and sporting teams.
The company has already supplied blazers to Harlequins rugby teams as well as the Australian cricket team and New Zealand rugby team. He said: "It's a small part of the business at the moment but we would like to show that we do have a manufacturer in England who can make a fantastic quality blazer."
