The British saddlery industry is harnessing the power of the Made in Britain trademark to elevate its reputation in global markets, a move that has recently caught the media’s attention. At the Worshipful Company of Saddlers’ annual Showcase of British Saddlery and Leather Goods in London, key figures from the industry, alongside Made in Britain CEO John Pearce, gathered to discuss export strategies and the challenges of international trade.
As reported by The Manufacturer, the Made in Britain accreditation is helping British saddlery businesses stand out in overseas markets, in which approximately 80% of UK-made saddles are sold. Attendees also addressed critical export challenges, including post-Brexit regulations, insurance complexities, and increasing competition, emphasising the importance of collaboration to sustain growth.
Philip Napier, Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, was quoted in Manufacturing Management as saying: “The Saddlers’ Company was delighted to welcome the Made in Britain team to our annual Showcase, set against the backdrop of the Society of Master Saddlers National Saddlery Competition. This was the perfect place to admire the incredible craftsmanship and aspirational attitude of British saddlers and leatherworkers.
“The saddlery industry is an extraordinary example of British manufacturing at its finest – combining heritage, craftsmanship and world-class innovation.”
“That’s why we were so pleased to have key industry leaders, including John Pearce from Made in Britain and representatives from the Department for Business and Trade and the Chartered Institute for Export and International Trade, deliver passionate addresses that served to inspire and give confidence to those in attendance. A number of major saddlery businesses from Walsall and beyond have already signed up to use the Made in Britain mark, and more have expressed a desire to do so.”
John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, also made headlines. Speaking in Manufacturing and Production Engineering magazine, he said: “The British saddlery industry is a fantastic example of heritage craftsmanship with a world-class reputation. The Made in Britain mark enables UK manufacturers to stand out in competitive overseas markets like the USA, Germany, and France. More saddlery businesses are joining the movement, reinforcing the collective strength of British-made excellence.”
Cath Pagnillo-Gordon, Managing Director of Albion Saddlemakers Co Ltd, was featured in the media coverage, adding: “We know that British saddlery alone isn’t enough to sustain large companies - they have to export. The Made in Britain mark adds weight to our reputation, making it easier for customers to recognise and trust the quality of our products.”
As UK saddlery businesses continue to expand globally, industry leaders are calling for greater collaboration between manufacturers, trade bodies, and government to further support British exports.
This recognition of the saddlery industry’s achievements and Made in Britain’s role in championing UK manufacturers has been widely shared across industry media, reinforcing the value of British manufacturing on the global stage.
Catch up on the coverage from the industry-leading sources below:
The Manufacturer
Manufacturing Management
Manufacturing & Production Engineering magazine
By Made in Britain 1 month ago | Media coverage