David Nieper Breathes New Life into British Knitwear with £0.5m Investment

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The Princess Royal helped fly the flag for UK knitwear manufacturing during a visit to David Nieper in Alfreton on Monday 12 September 2011 as part of a tour of Derbyshire-based businesses.

David Nieper Royal Visit

The fashion house, which designs and manufacturers all its lingerie, nightwear and women’s clothing in Derbyshire, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.  This was the first royal visit for the company, which employs over 200 people in Derbyshire.

During her visit, The Princess Royal:

  • Was greeted by local schoolchildren, many of whom have taken part in a recent David Nieper Fashion for Free! Competition to encourage local fashion design talent and inspire the local community into fashion and fashion manufacturing careers
  • Helped fly the flag for UK knitwear manufacturing by officially switching on one of David Nieper’s new knitwear machines, signalling the launch of a new knitwear production division for the company.  The machine, one of five purchased, is part of a £0.5 million investment to meet increasing demand for the company’s pure merino wool knitwear.  The investment brings David Nieper’s knitwear production back in-house to Derbyshire and has resulted in the employment of six new members of staff – all trained in the traditional skills of linking and seaming as well as running high-tech quality knitwear machinery
  • Spoke to David Nieper’s staff, many with over 10 years with the company, including four ladies working in the ironing section who have 85 years service between them – ironing well over 4.5 million garments during this time
  • Enjoyed a full tour of the David Nieper factory and design studios with Christopher Nieper, MD of David Nieper
  • The visit concluded with the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the visit and David Nieper’s 50th Anniversary.

Christopher Nieper, said: “As The Princess Royal is also the President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, her visit provided us with a great opportunity to showcase how fashion and manufacturing is very much alive and thriving in Derbyshire.  Our ‘Made in England’ approach means that we continue to experience record sales in both the UK and overseas, and with our new £0.5 million investment we hope to breathe life into the UK’s knitwear industry too.”