Hawick Knitwear goes into administration

There is a real opportunity here for a buyer to take ownership of a fantastic company, workforce and brand, but the next couple of weeks are going to be critical.

There is a strong demand worldwide for premium knitwear products and this business is more than capable of servicing that market.

We do have to recognise, though, that we need to create a profitable and sustainable business. That may involve the firm moving to smaller and more suitable premises within Hawick, and it’s highly improbable we’ll be able to sustain a future workforce at current levels.

As well as looking towards a future for the business, we now have to also focus on giving every possible support to those who have been made redundant.

It is hugely worrying for them and their families and the worst time of the year for this to happen. However, the Scottish Government and other agencies will do everything they can to help.

A PACE team will now move in and work to match up those who have lost their jobs with employers locally who are looking to take on new staff and also to offer training opportunities."

It's devastating and shocking in equal measures.

It just happened so quickly - nobody knew it was coming.

It was so impersonal. We've been told to go online to apply for any jobs. I'm worried that everyone is going to be feeling so isolated. "

It's a devastating start to 2016 for the people of Hawick.

Hawick Knitwear is filled with the most hardworking people you could ever hope to find.

It's a major blow for a town that has already suffered many setbacks in the industry over the years.

I will now be working with local politicians who are all united in the fight to save the future of this company."

To say I’m sad about the job losses is an understatement and my heart goes out to every worker and family in Hawick who will be affected by this.

The booming textile industry was once the backbone of the Borders that employed thousands of workers but for a long time has been in decline, but what’s important is that we do everything we can to make sure that the workers of Hawick Knitwear are given assistance with future employment and that they get all the help they need and I want to make it clear that Scottish Labour in the Borders will do everything it can to help.

The latest job losses further highlight the need for more investment and jobs being created in the Borders."

We'd hoped that we'd been through the worst of the job losses. Knitwear and textiles in the Borders has faced some tough times but we'd hoped that things would be a bit more stable.

But clearly the world economy is still not as strong as it once was and we face tough times, and clearly the management here have had a very tough decision to make and we're now working as hard as we can to try and secure the future of these jobs."

This news is shattering for Hawick and the Borders and I want to express my profound sympathies for all those who have been made redundant as a result.

I have been in touch with the Scottish Enterprise, which is seeking to have early meetings with the company to to see what help it can provide. I'll also be reaching out to the administrators to offer any support I can in working to secure a future for the company.

Hawick Knitwear is a hugely respected operation with a top class reputation within the industry and a brilliant, dedicated workforce. It has a long history in the town dating back to 1874 and is very much part of its industrial heritage.

I believe that real opportunities do exist for the business to succeed. This is always a challenging time of year in the knitwear sector, but the company has a strong history in high end products such as cashmere and this is very much where the market is heading, with consumers worldwide eager to buy these products.

I am happy to play any role I can in securing the company's future. In the meantime, if any of the workforce feel I can be of help, then I would urge them to get in touch with me or my MSP colleague Paul Wheelhouse without delay.

Recent attempts to secure new investment into Hawick Knitwear to support further development of the brand and provide much needed working capital ultimately proved unsuccessful leaving the director with no option but to place the company into Administration.

Unfortunately, extremely difficult market conditions have led to the current position. It is regrettable that a high level of redundancies has been necessary at this stage and we will be working with employees and the relevant Government agencies to ensure that the full range of support is available to those who are affected.

In the meantime, we would encourage any party who has an interest in the company’s business and assets to contact us as soon as possible.