Keeping manufacturing in the UK is now attracting a lucrative Chinese market for Ettinger's luxury leather goods
Ettinger has manufactured its handcrafted luxury leather accessories in Britain since 1934. Robert Ettinger, who took over his father's business in 1990, says the firm decided against moving production to the Far East despite "everybody else" closing their UK factories.
"I'm so glad we refused to give in because it's working for us," he says. "What's interesting is that the Chinese now want something that's made in England. So it's turned around."
The company won a prestigious licence to produce accessories for the Wimbledon tennis championships in 1992. Ettinger says the licence contributes a "double-digit" figure to the private company's turnover of "several million pounds" and has grown from one tent to 13 self-service shops on the tournament site. "The Ettinger leather goods are top luxury, that's our heritage, but the Wimbledon licensing has helped the business grow," he explains.
Unsurprisingly, Ettinger says he "lives and breathes" the business and is totally committed to making it a success. But he says building a good team from the factory floor to the sales desk has been crucial. The firm has attracted three-quarters of its employees without actively recruiting, he adds. "We tend to get the good people coming to us. They've read about what we do and say they love it. It tends to click much more."
