The UK based contract fabric specialists undertook an MBO from the American flooring giant Interface on 21st April 2006 and have since gone on to double turnover, selling 8.7 million yards of fabric a year to 70 countries. The company’s sustained growth in overseas markets is now recognised by winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
In the space of 10 years Camira Group, which designs and manufactures contract fabrics for commercial interiors and transportation, has expanded from 263 to over 700 staff, increased its UK manufacturing footprint, in West Yorkshire, from two sites to five, opened a manufacturing facility in Lithuania, and opened warehousing and showrooms in both China and USA.
The company’s total overseas sales grew by 50% over the past six years, now accounting for nearly 60% of Camira’s $100 million turnover, with its top five export markets now being USA, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Turkey. Between them these markets generate over $28 million turnover, supplemented by other significant overseas contributors from as far afield as Mexico, Australia, China, and New Zealand. In 2015 the company employed seven new international sales managers, in priority export markets, as well as opening new showrooms in Stockholm, Amsterdam and Shanghai.
Camira describes itself as “a young company with a rich heritage”, with roots going as far back as the 18th and 19th centuries through the acquisition of UK textile manufacturers Bradbury Fabrics and John Holdsworth & Co, as well as woollen yarn spinner Stork Brothers. The modern day fore-runner to Camira was founded in 1974 as Camborne Fabrics in Huddersfield, England, which spent 9 years as part of the US Interface organisation before completing a successful management buy-out 10 years ago. The company’s initial financial backer, Cavendish Square Partners, was replaced by Pricoa Capital Group last year, and new CEO Grant Russell was appointed last September.
Group Sales & Marketing Director Andrew Schofield, who has been with the company for 30 years, made the following statement: “It’s been an incredible 10 year journey since we became Camira back in 2006. Not only have we survived the deepest recession since World War II, but we’ve positively flourished, doubling turnover in that time and creating direct employment opportunities, including an award winning Modern Apprenticeship Scheme, and flying the flag for UK textile manufacturing around the world. We’re particularly proud of our business development in global sales territories and we’re absolutely delighted that this has now been recognised in our latest Queen’s Award – our fifth in total – this time for International Trade."
