Sunderland business celebrating six figure success around the world

RAP superstars and surging demand in America have helped a custom clothing firm from the North East double its employees and break the £1m-a-year turnover barrier for the first time.

Washington-based Woven Inc increased its annual turnover by 40% in 2016 to £1.1m thanks to global orders and significant investment at its HQ.

The company provides screen printing, embroidery, transfers and garment finishing in several sectors, including workwear, fashion and sports.

It also works extensively in the music industry, most recently winning a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment – the record label affiliated with rapper Dr Dre.

This has seen the company supply merchandise for tours of some the world’s biggest hip-hop stars, including Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar and ASAP Rocky. In the last quarter of 2016 it shipped 5,000 garments to Norway for Schoolboy Q’s European tour. Among other artists Woven has worked with is Anastasia, whose tour manager recommended the firm to Top Dawg.

Meanwhile, the political uncertainty of Brexit and the American presidential campaign has played into the company’s hands in the last 12 months.

The impact of financial market volatility on garment prices has prompted US customers to buy merchandise in Europe for events here, rather than having them exported from the States.

Woven invested over £150,000 in 2016 in new equipment to increase its capacity. It also launched a new website and doubled its headcount from 10 to 20 employees during the year.

Woven’s growth has been supported by Sunderland City Council, which provides advice and guidance to businesses and helps them access the funding needed to expand.