Lochcarron Sold to Koreans

[Jack Daw]

When owners are replaced, then so does management. And when both are replaced, then products, production processes, distribution, and/or target markets change - whatever it takes to improve profits. So, it's a wait-and-see thing, which could take several business cycles to work out.

[CDNSushi]

My big fear would be if they offshored the production, and so also hit all the associated industries in the area such as dyers and spinners.

I rather doubt it. Asian companies have no need to purchase Scottish companies only to offshore them right back to Asia. If they wanted to do this, it would be far more economical to simply skip the middle step.

It's far MORE likely that having genuine, Scottish-produced textiles and garments provide a value-add that they wouldn't get by simply making them domestically. ith: Korean companies like to have as much vertical supply chain integration as possible. It ties in with the traditional "chaebol" system of business (which is a type of conglomerate).

[EagleJCS]

Sad news that ownership has been passed to a non-Scottish firm. I certainly hope the quality of the product is not affected by this. My one and only personal kilt is a Locharron, and I was hoping to get another once I was back on my (financial) feet. I also hope that the business stays in Scotland, and can thus continue to support the associated industries (shepherds, shearers, spinners, dyers, etc.).

[mookien]

Well, I choose to look on the bright side. At least now maybe Lochcarron can afford to better feed their web-site models. They look so gaunt. Kimchi all around!

[Jock Scot]

I rather doubt it. Asian companies have no need to purchase Scottish companies only to offshore them right back to Asia. If they wanted to do this, it would be far more economical to simply skip the middle step.

It's far MORE likely that having genuine, Scottish-produced textiles and garments provide a value-add that they wouldn't get by simply making them domestically. ith:

My thoughts (and hopes) go along those lines, too. Time will tell I suppose.

[Paul Henry]

Sad news that ownership has been passed to a non-Scottish firm. I certainly hope the quality of the product is not affected by this. My one and only personal kilt is a Locharron, and I was hoping to get another once I was back on my (financial) feet. I also hope that the business stays in Scotland, and can thus continue to support the associated industries (shepherds, shearers, spinners, dyers, etc.).

Of course I hope that the associated companies, or those that depend on Lochcarron don't lose out, but the shepherds and shearers are generally in Australia and New Zealand,not Scotland!!

[cessna152towser]

the shepherds and shearers are generally in Australia and New Zealand,not Scotland

So where does all the wool from the local sheep around Selkirk go. There are a million sheep in the Scottish Borders area which has a population of one hundred thousand people.
I do know that some Lochcarron products use Merino wool from down under but I would have expected they would also have bought the local product.

[Paul Henry]

So where does all the wool from the local sheep around Selkirk go. There are a million sheep in the Scottish Borders area which has a population of one hundred thousand people.
I do know that some Lochcarron products use Merino wool from down under but I would have expected they would also have bought the local product.

Alex, it's a different type of wool, the Scottish wool tends to be shorter and a little coarser , and isn't often used for the fine cloth. I'm not saying it hasn't been, or couldn't be used , but it isn't the norm

[Jock Scot]

So where does all the wool from the local sheep around Selkirk go. There are a million sheep in the Scottish Borders area which has a population of one hundred thousand people.
I do know that some Lochcarron products use Merino wool from down under but I would have expected they would also have bought the local product.

For the last 20 or so years much(not all) of the Scottish(UK) wool has remained on the farm unsold, or it is cheaper for the buyer to "forget" it rather than pay transport costs and every now and then several years worth of wool is burned on farm to make room for the next heap to accumilate.

[piperdbh]

Are those sheep raised for their meat?