Iconic Somerset-based fashion business Mulberry is looking to its factories in the county to help make it one of the world’s most sustainable luxury brands.
The manufacturing sites at Chilcompton, south of Bath, and in Bridgwater – which between them produce more than half of all Mulberry’s output – have been carbon neutral since 2019.
Now the firm, best known for its high-end designer bags, says introducing more innovative sustainable methods of production in the plants will drive its efforts to position Mulberry at the top of the international brand league table.
The plan was outlined this week by CEO Thierry Andretta as he delivered the group’s financial results for the 53 weeks to 2 April.
During the period group revenue rose by 32% to £152.4m, which the group said reflected its strong recovery post Covid-19.
UK sales were up 36% to £89.8m, while those in China and South Korea – both major markets for the brand – increased by 59% and 11% respectively.
Total international sales were up by a fifth at £40.4m.
As a result, pre-tax profits came in at £21.3m – up from £4.6m last time – and helped by a one-off profit on disposal of its Paris store lease of £5.7m.
Mr Andretta said: “We have made great strides in our mission to be the leading responsible British lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in sustainability.
“Mulberry continues to delight customers with our beautiful products, made to last with the highest quality, lowest carbon materials in our UK factories.
“Whilst the economic and geo-political outlook remains uncertain, we are an iconic international brand with a clear strategy for future profitable, cash-generative growth. We remain well placed to continue to deliver sustainable returns to the benefit of all our stakeholders.”
During the period the firm launched ‘The Lowest Carbon collection’ crafted from the world’s lowest carbon leather and using a local and transparent supply chain.
Mulberry, which has vowed to become a net zero business by 2035, described it as its first capsule collection of regenerative ‘farm to finished product, further supporting its Made to Last ‘manifesto’.
It also successfully launched its resale programme ‘Pre-loved Bags’.
Some 88% of its collection now uses leather sourced from environmentally accredited tanneries – a figure it is committed to increase to 100% by the end of this year.
It also invested further in its Lifetime Service Centre at Chilcompton, which now restores more than 10,000 bags a year.
Mulberry was founded in 1971 by designer Roger Saul, who made leather belts and chokers on the family kitchen table.
The firm, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, employs around 1,400 people across the global and has offices in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul.
