World Environment Day celebrated on 5th June, is one of the most important days on the sustainability calendar. Sustainability has always been at the core of our values at Stretchline, and we are committed to minimising our impact.

This year, we want to reflect on some of the key issues faced by the textile industry and look at our journey to becoming more sustainable.

Reducing emissions

In most cases, the first thing that comes to mind when discussing sustainability is climate change – the impact caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the ongoing global effort to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

As part of our journey, we eliminated coal power from all our global sites in 2019. However, this is not where we want to draw the line. As our journey continues, some of the key projects on GHG emission reduction have already been completed, and new ones are in the works. These include installing solar panels across all our sites worldwide as a renewable energy initiative. Our solar upgrade has already reduced our GHG emissions and it will continue to play a vital role in our strategy going forward.

This year, we also committed to significantly reducing our GHG emissions by committing to the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). We set ourselves the following science-based targets:

Reduce direct emissions under the operational control and indirect emissions from purchased energy by 25% by 2025 and 37.8% by 2030 from 2021 as the baseline year

Reduce all other indirect emissions within Stretchline’s value chain by 25% by 2030 from 2022 as the base year

The open-loop

The instinctive solution to reducing waste has always been to avoid landfills. Upcycling and recycling are two methods for accomplishing this.

Upcycling is to reuse for a better function. For example, we can recycle plastic into polyester – at Stretchline, we make 15% of our yarns from recycled polyester, which instead of being discarded, now has a second life in our yarns.

In the last few years, the textile industry has made great strides toward creating fully recyclable fabrics. As with our Fit-J line, these are known as open-loop fabrics. The term “open-loop” refers to a system in which you can break down a product’s raw material to use in a new output – usually unrelated to its original purpose.

Reducing water waste

Water waste is a significant problem facing the textile industry in our quest to become more sustainable. Besides being one of our most precious resources, water is also a key ingredient in manufacturing clothes and yarn.

Innovation is crucial in reducing our impact and water usage in our production process. For example, with our state-of-the-art digital colour matching tools, we reduce energy and water usage while increasing the accuracy of our colour matching.

However, this isn’t the only way we reduce our water impact. The dying process also plays a key role. So in addition, we also recycle dye bath water and use natural dyes as much as possible, significantly reducing our environmental impact.

In total, our current initiatives will reduce the water footprint of our products by 22%.

Our journey continues

These are just some of the targets we set ourselves as a business. As part of our commitment, we will continue to be self-reflective, interrogate our processes, and most importantly, continue our journey for a better tomorrow.

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Stretchline. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries through research and using the latest technologies to create everyday solutions for current and future demands.

Introducing our new Innovation Lead for Europe, Emily Roberts. An expert in leading technical innovation, she brings her forward-thinking and eco-conscious mindset to the team. To welcome her, we sat down and asked her a few questions on her background, sustainability and the future of Stretchline.

What does your job role entail?

My main focus is leading Stretchline’s Innovation for Europe at our Future Lab in Long Eaton, UK. This consists of researching and developing new technologies and ideas together with external companies, educational institutions and our global innovation team. From this, the team and I work on developing machinery and processes that will aid our cutting edge ideas.

What do you bring to the team?

Insight into the garment as a whole and how to build innovations that solve problems and offer benefits directly for the consumer. My expertise lends itself well to bridging the gap between textile materials and the end product.

What does your day-to-day look like?

It varies! From project management to developing, implementing and commercialising new technologies. My team and I also spend a considerable amount of time researching new ideas, finding new materials and developing new products.

Innovation you are most excited about?

Commercialising some of our new sustainability technologies that will drastically reduce water and energy consumption and revolutionise parts of our manufacturing process.

What does the future hold for Stretchline?

The team are continuously striving to implement more sustainable processes and provide eco-friendly alternatives, in turn, working towards a better future.

We are delighted to welcome Emily to the team to drive forward our innovations and sustainability goals. If you are interested in our vast portfolio of products, get in touch today.

In January 2022, Stretchline Holdings Ltd and Stretchline UK and USA successfully combined their operations. Stretchline’s worldwide operations will now manage three manufacturing sites across the UK (Sherston in Wiltshire, Whetstone in Leicester, Long Eaton in Nottingham) and one is the USA (Rocky Mount in North Carolina).

This new, exciting step enables Stretchline to further strengthen its position as the world’s largest manufacturer of narrow elasticated fabric and a major supplier of covered elastomeric yarn, textile coating and bonding solutions.

Through this partnership, Stretchline will be able to grow its network, improve innovation, and expand expertise into new industries such as haberdashery, law enforcement, defence, marine, and furnishings, among many others.

As part of a stronger, bigger team, Stretchline now offers access to an increased number of services, improved speed of production, the potential for a reduced carbon footprint and the capability to be available when and where their customers need them.

Every year, on 8th March, we celebrate International Women’s Day. By highlighting the achievements of women around the world, it hopes to end the discrimination many women still face.

To commemorate the day, we talked to some of our amazing employees who make our business what it is – from marketing experts to machine operators. They provided us with insights into what International Women’s Day means to them, what makes them feel empowered, and what advice they would give to other women based on their own experiences.

Here are some of the women of Stretchline who shared their stories.

At Stretchline, we believe in a world that is Made for Better. One in which gender does not define how you are treated, and women are free from bias, discrimination, and stereotypes. Even though gender equality is a simple ideal that should already exist in the world we live in, we are still working towards this goal as a society.

We encourage everyone to #BreakTheBias this International Women’s Day and every day as we strive for a more equal world.

Founded in 1841, Stretchline began as a family-owned elastic manufacturer. And in the 181 years that followed, that small business expanded into a global organisation with 5,000 employees operating in seven countries.

Today, we are proud to be known as the world’s leading supplier of narrow fabrics, covered yarns, dyed yarns and textile innovations. We believe the key to our success lies in our commitment to doing things right.

With this in mind, we have invested in a new tagline – Made for Better. It reflects our commitment to making continuous investments for our clients and creating a community that our worldwide employees are proud to be a part of.

Sustainability and innovation are at the core of everything we do. We are committed to helping those we work with make better decisions. Better for their business. Better for their customers. And better for our planet.

We are Stretchline. And we are Made for Better.

To demonstrate our commitment to sustainability leadership and contribution to global climate action, we have joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (“SBTi”). We have set science-based targets to achieve near-term greenhouse gas (“GHG”) reductions across all our operations located in the UK, US, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Mexico and Honduras.

About SBTi

SBTi helps companies to set emission reduction targets in line with climate science and Paris Agreement goals. It promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets. To accelerate corporate climate action, SBTi is focused on significant reductions in global emissions before 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions before 2050.

Our Targets

We have set the following specific GHG reduction targets:

• Reduce direct emissions under operational control, Scope 1 GHG emissions, and indirect emissions from purchased energy, Scope 2 GHG emissions, by 37.8% by 2030 from a 2021 base year. These reductions are in line with a scenario which limits global temperature increases to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

• Reduce all other indirect emissions within Stretchline’s value chain, Scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 from a 2022 base year. Scope 3 GHG reductions align with a scenario which limits global temperature increases to well-below 2°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Our Commitment

To achieve these goals, we will invest in solar power projects across the globe and practice operational excellence by technological advancements. Our sustainability strategies will be prioritised to GHG emissions reduction.

Earlier this year, we announced the addition of four new manufacturing plants to our network in the UK and the USA. In the UK, we now have Sherston in Wiltshire, Whetstone in Leicestershire, and Long Eaton in Derbyshire. And in the US, we have added Rocky Mount in North Carolina.

Take a sneak peek at our new sites below..

As one of the world’s largest suppliers of narrow fabrics and covered yarns, we strive to make processes easier for our customers.

We can now provide on- and near-shoring production for a larger number of customers than ever before, along with exclusive new services like our UK-based Innovation Lab. In addition, the merger expands our expertise into new industries such as haberdashery, law enforcement, defence, marine, and furnishings, to name a few.

We are committed to finding new solutions in a constantly changing world. And as a result, we can offer our customers more flexibility and security while building our global family of employees with a network that covers more bases.

This is the first of many moves we have planned for this year, so watch his space..

The 21st of April marks World Creativity and Innovation Day, a 24-hour celebration of new ideas and innovative solutions.

To honour the event, we spoke with our Innovation and Bluesky teams – two teams collaborating closely to create new products and develop new methods. Spread across different bases worldwide, the teams focus on research and innovation to keep Stretchline and our clients ahead of the curve.

We explore what their jobs entail, where they find inspiration, and how they stay connected while working remotely with one another.

Who are the Innovation and BlueSky teams?

Our Innovation and Bluesky teams are primarily responsible for adapting and developing new technologies. Together, they strive to continuously improve the performance and quality of what we produce.

Our Innovation team members are product development specialists – creative thinkers who push the boundaries of what’s possible. This is complemented by the expertise of our Bluesky team – whose job it is to turn big ideas into reality.

Through this combination of skills, our clients have created clothing that has won gold medals, accessories that have helped set new records, and products that have helped build multi-million pound organisations from the ground up.

What is the creative process at Stretchline?

Collaboration and driving efficiencies are two key ingredients in the team’s creative process.

Every new product they develop aims to improve current processes, enabling us to streamline service operations so that we can better serve our customers.

The team’s success depends on bringing together different knowledge. Each team member brings different skills and areas of expertise.

What are the methods for staying connected while working globally?

Communication is the key to global collaboration. Sharing insights, best practices, and developments is critical to keep them working as one.
The recent advancement of digital communications platforms, including video conferencing and messaging, has enabled the team to communicate despite geographical boundaries – sharing information and collaborating in real-time.

Where do they get their inspiration?

Curiosity and pushing the boundaries are essential when thinking creatively – to build on what has already been done.
Doing better for the environment and the world is at the heart of everything the team do. At Stretchline, sustainability is a core pillar. Our team is committed to finding new ways to reduce our impact on the environment and better help the planet.

At Stretchline, we work to a process called Made for Better – which promotes doing the best for our customers, our communities, and the planet. World Innovation and Creativity Day reminds us of the importance of these efforts and inspires us to think bigger. Of course, creativity and innovation is never-ending, but that’s what makes it exciting. You can always do something more effectively, improve old methods, and make it easier for the industry to make better decisions.

Leaving a positive impact is at the heart of everything we do at Stretchline. We’re committed to driving forward innovation, improving our environmental impact, and growing our business sustainably. A vision shared by our entire leadership team, which we’re proud to be extending.

John McClure has joined us as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the East Asia region. With knowledge and experience in raw materials, he has led sourcing for clothing manufacturers, including Marks and Spencer and Courtaulds Lingerie and is passionate about delivering excellence and driving forward ESG. To welcome him, we sat down and asked him a few questions about his background, sustainability and his vision for the future of Stretchline.

What does your job role entail?

I am responsible for the East Asia region of Stretchline, ensuring its continued success and growth. To accomplish this, I will work with our highly motivated and skilled teams, building on our excellent reputation for customer service and our passion for product development. In addition, I will be focusing on strengthening our existing sustainability credentials, exceeding the global targets we set for ourselves, and being socially responsible.

What do you bring to the team?

A clear understanding of what it takes to grow profitably while focusing on the right priorities. My goal is to further deepen our understanding of our customers’ needs by bringing my experience in textiles, clothing, and retail to Stretchline. I am a commercial thinker who enjoys the challenge of leading change with all stakeholders, customers, suppliers, colleagues, and shareholders.

How does your previous experience contribute to your new role?

I understand what clothing manufacturers require from raw material suppliers and how our performance impacts them. I have lived and worked in the Far East and managed offices in several countries, ensuring that autonomy and accountability are apparent while achieving wide-ranging corporate goals. I appreciate the importance of product development and innovation to retailers and brands. I am also committed to improving our sustainability and ESG credentials.

What are your top three priorities in your first year?

1. Deliver a clear China-to-China commercial strategy
2. Invest wisely, and quickly establish relevant capacity opportunities, so we are even closer to needlepoint for key customers
3. Ensure we are set up for profitable growth

What is your vision for Stretchline in the East Asia region?

As the leading narrow fabric and covered yarns supplier in East Asia, my goal is to make Stretchline the first choice for our customers.

We are delighted to welcome John on board. We look forward to seeing how his ideas and perspectives will help drive forward our success in the East Asia region.

Our Stretchline family makes us who we are. We’re proud to have a workforce who believes in better – creating a community that our worldwide employees are proud to be a part of. And as part of our commitment to supporting our team, we’re delighted to welcome our new Head of Human Resources (HR) for the South Asia region, Sakunthala Senarath.

Sakunthala brings a wide array of experience ranging from 12 years at MAS Holdings, running her own consultancy firm, and most recently holding the position of Group HR Lead at Courtaulds Clothing Lanka (CCL).

We sat down with Sakunthala and asked her about her previous experience and what she hopes to achieve in her new role.

What are your key objectives for this new role?

To proactively transform the HR, admin, and employee health and safety compliance functions through a strategic approach.

I enjoy building workforces that employees are proud to be a part of and carefully identifying talent to grow. I want to make Stretchline an employer of choice.

Tell us about your background and what experiences have you gained?

After working at MAS Holdings for 12 years, I started my own consultancy firm in 2017 to strengthen my HR and organisational development skills. In 2021, I joined CCL as a senior management team member, where I led group HR, admin, and the compliance function, enhancing strategic aspects for transformational change.

How does your previous experience contribute to your new role?

My exposure to multiple industries enables me to strategically approach talent management and development across all levels – helping teams advance in their careers and onboarding the best new candidates. I am highly experienced in managing and optimising resources, resulting in timely results, and have good communication skills.

What do you think is the most important leadership skill?

Authenticity coupled with empathy.

What are you most looking forward to over the next few months?

I am excited to connect with our communities and engage with our employees to create an environment that will allow us to grow and thrive.

Welcome to the Stretchline family, Sakunthala! It is a pleasure to have you on board.