If your inbox is full of unanswered emails to factories, it's not personal. It's a sign you're making critical mistakes that scream 'newbie'In this first episode in this special series MANUFACTURING SOS I’m diving into one of the most common frustrations I hear from founders - that they've contacted manufacturers and no one got back to them.Sound familiar?Before you assume UK manufacturers are just ignoring you, you need to hear this.I’m sharing the real reasons factories hit delete, including vague enquiries, missing tech packs, and the one thing they’ll always check before replying to you.You’ll also hear a cautionary tale about what happens when you work with a so-called UK manufacturer that turns out to be a middleman. Spoiler: it nearly cost one founder £30k.If you want to stop wasting time and make sure you’re actually factory-ready, this episode is for you.Listen now to find out:🚩 What red flags instantly tell a manufacturer you're not ready👻 The mistake that gets your enquiry ghosted 75% of the time💌 Why your email address and Instagram feed matter more than you think👬 How to avoid falling for middlemen posing as UK factories🤓 What to do before you ever send that first email🎧 Subscribe to the Make it British podcast so you don't miss the rest of this special MANUFACTURING SOS series.▶️ Watch the full series on YouTube🚀 Ready to scale your UK-made brand? Apply for the British Brand Accelerator at makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
--------
12:53
--------
12:53
Introducing Manufacturing SOS
Brand New Mini Series Coming Soon: Manufacturing SOSAfter a year-long hiatus, the Make It British Podcast is coming back!Series 7 is currently in the works, but while you wait, I’ve got something special for you…Introducing a brand new mini series called Manufacturing SOS.This special series is for anyone who’s starting or scaling a clothing, accessories or homeware brand and wants to get their products made in the UK without wasting time, money or losing their mind in the process.Each episode is short and straight to the point. And in my usual no-nonsense style, I’ll be breaking down the most common manufacturing mistakes I see brands make, and how to avoid them.These are the things I hear the same mistakes I hear again and again during the hundreds of conversations I’ve had with brand founders over the last few years. They’re also the things I know UK manufacturers wish more brands understood before they reached out.Some of the mistakes I’ll be sharing might already be painfully familiar. But hopefully by hearing them now, you’ll avoid making the same ones, and potentially save yourself thousands in the process.Whether you’ve:Contacted a factory and not heard backReceived disappointing samplesOr you’re doing your homework before you begin…This Manufacturing SOS series is for you.🎬 First episode drops very soon.Make sure you're subscribed to the Make It British podcast on your favourite podcast platform and to my YouTube channel if you’d prefer to watch the video version.🎓 Want my full step-by-step framework?If you're ready to get serious about developing and manufacturing your product in the UK, watch my FREE masterclass:The 3-Part Framework for Growing a Profitable UK-Made Brand👉 Get instant access at makeitbritish.co.uk/masterclass
--------
2:52
--------
2:52
Bonus: How to Find a UK Manufacturer
Finding a UK manufacturer doesn’t have to be a challenge!In this bonus episode, I share the recording of my recent webinar, where I break down the 5 essential steps to finding your perfect manufacturing partner.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why manufacturers don’t respond to emails—and how to fix it.The biggest mistakes small businesses make when looking for a factory.How to prepare before reaching out to a manufacturer to save time and money.The 5 steps you need to follow to confidently approach the right manufacturing partner.Why finding a manufacturer isn’t just about Googling names—and what to do instead.Resources & Links Mentioned:Join Get Set for Manufacturing: In just 4 weeks, learn exactly how to get your products made in the UK and find your perfect manufacturing partner.
--------
1:07:07
--------
1:07:07
300 - Words of wisdom from UK manufacturers featured on this show
Welcome to episode 300!Celebrating the 300th episode of this podcast I look back at some of the amazing guests that I've had on this show from the world of UK fashion and textile manufacturing. Manufacturers that have shared their stories, their challenges, and their successes with us.Episodes / Manufacturers featured in this episode:Episode 102 - David Collinge | John Spencer TextilesEpisode 005 - Keith Hanshaw | The Leather Satchel CompanyEpisode 088 - Chris Woodford | Crown NorthamptonEpisode 193 - Ian Maclean | John Smedley MBEEpisode 55 - Lance Mitchell | Mitchell InterflexEpisode 113 - Ruth Masson | Harris TweedEpisode 290 - Christopher Nieper | David Nieper OBEEpisode 96 - Richard Ince | Ince UmbrellasEpisode 004 - Jo Ashburner-Farr | Red Dragon FlagmakersEpisode 254 - Chris Childs | ContradoEpisode 21 - Jenny Holloway | Fashion EnterEpisode 31 - Mick Cheema | Basic PremierEpisode 299 - A visit to Vagabond bags with Simon MichelsonEpisode 118 - David Williams | Stoll GBEpisode 203 - Saed Saleh | Mars KnitwearEpisode 060 - Diana Kakkar
--------
30:59
--------
30:59
299 – A Visit to Vagabond Bags
Join me on a tour round a factory!In this episode I'm chatting with Simon Michelson, owner of Vagabond Bags, a sewing factory in Swindon that makes cosmetic bags, shower caps and hot water bottle covers.Meet some of the people working in the factory, hear about the jobs they do and find out how many shower hats one person can make in a day. Spoiler - it's quite a lot!HANDY LINKSBritish Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand.Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on making in the UKMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagram
Kate Hills is on a one-woman mission to save UK manufacturing.
In this podcast she shines the light on British brands and manufacturers, and goes behind the scenes of their businesses.
With tips, hints and tricks to help you manufacture in the UK and buy British.
Never has there been a more critical time to get behind 'made in Britain'.
UK