A £1.6 MILLION expansion of a Hawick mill which will create up to 50 new jobs was officially opened this week.
The new facility at Johnstons of Elgin at Eastfield Mills in Mansfield Road represents a major investment in the future of Scottish knitwear.
The 950m² development increases production capacity by 25%, creates up to 50 new roles, and provides space for new state-of-the-art Shima knitting machines.
It also strengthens the company’s commitment to training and developing the next generation of craftspeople in the Borders.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony this week was the company’s longest-serving Hawick colleague, Brian McColm, who has 43 years of service.
Brian was joined by Ross Pringle, with 41 years of service, and Richard Knight with 40 years.
The three men have a combined 124 years of dedication to Johnstons of Elgin.
The expansion was made possible thanks to the support of South of Scotland Enterprise and delivered entirely through local partnerships, including Aitken Turnbull Architects (Galashiels), James Swinton & Co (Hawick), and Marsh Riddell Gibson project management (Selkirk), along with many other skilled tradespeople across the Borders.
Site director David Hamilton, said: “From our site staff and local council to our MP John Lamont, South of Scotland Enterprise, and the skilled tradespeople who built it, we’re proud to continue investing in Hawick.
“We look forward to welcoming many new colleagues in the years ahead as we continue to grow and innovate.”
The textile firm first opened as a wool mill in Elgin in 1797 and has stores in Edinburgh, London, St Andrews and mills in Hawick and Moray.
