KC Manufacturing

OVERVIEW

December 2021 marked the start of a new era for KC Manufacturing (FKA Kalopsia Collective), a Scottish textiles batch product manufacturer. It moved its social enterprise across the Forth to new premises in Dunfermline’s Gardeners’ Street. With the new premises came the creation of two jobs, and a further 15 in the longer term.

The new facilities – a 8,000 sq. ft. unit – are eight times the size of its previous manufacturing site in Leith and offer space from which to grow and develop.

Headed up by Adam Robertson and Nina Falk, KC Manufacturing is a social enterprise, which offers sustainable and ethical alternatives for apparel and accessories. It manufactures for leading high-end UK brands, as well as clients in Germany, Japan and North America, and has been growing steadily in recent years.

APPROACH

KC Manufacturing was established in 2012 and in 2016 became a social enterprise, with the primary purpose to be socially and environmentally responsible. In short, it maximises the amount of social good it creates whilst balancing this against its financial goals. Nina shares her knowledge and expertise as a means of inspiring others, recently presenting to the UK Parliament on waste from the textiles industry.

In recent months, having outgrown its premises in Leith, KC Manufacturing focused on finding new premises from which to grow, and Dunfermline was picked, in part because of Fife’s rich textiles industry heritage. Creating jobs in sector, which was once so buoyant in Fife, was a key objective.

In preparation for its move, KC Manufacturing started a dialogue with Fife Council's Economic Development team under the banner of InvestFife. There was a willingness from the company to engage, to create a strong support group, and to benefit from the business advice and guidance available from Business Gateway Fife and Fife Council’s Employability Team.

NEXT STEPS

KC Manufacturing is focused on growth and projects a three-fold increase in turnover in the coming years. With that comes the creation of jobs – a further 15 in the longer term – as well as the opportunity to liaise with local colleges and universities to create apprenticeships and work placements. KC has a close relationship with Heriot Watt University’s Fashion Technology Course, supporting past and present students.

From its new Dunfermline base, KC Manufacturing will grow, will cement its commitment to ethical and sustainable textiles manufacturing, will share best practice, will create green jobs and play its part in the revival of the textiles industry in Fife.