GEAR SPECIAL
R Krabs getting anodised on the DMM production line, Llanberis.
to process it. Nowadays, to minimise costs, many gear companies have their whole product ranges fi nalised two years in advance, and they have more of it to sell. “People used to covet down jackets,” muses Jim. “They were Gucci kit. You repaired and wore them year after year. Now you hardly ever see old down jackets, do you? People buy a new one every few years.” Over coffee, we discuss that what began as a push to erode other companies’ prices has resulted in whole industries being eroded in Britain, and contributed to our disposable society. And now, as manufacturing prices rise overseas, companies are losing the increased margins they gained by offshoring in the fi rst place. It’s got complicated. No wonder Alpkit is bringing some of their production back to the UK while they’re still small enough. I visited their airy new warehouse in Derbyshire: open-plan offi ces, a workshop and showroom, complete with comfy sofas and log-burner. A cheery band of young climbers are making bouldering mats, chalk bags and bike-frame bags. So, how’s this step back in time going?
“It’s probably six to ten times more expensive to employ a sewing machinist in the UK than in China,” explains Jim, “But now Alpkit is well-established, we’re more confi dent it can withstand slightly higher prices. Our aim is to evolve into one of the UK’s foremost brands, as companies like DMM have done, and we see ‘Made in Britain’ as an important element of that.”
MADE IN THE UK DMM:
climbing hardware, North Wales.
www.dmmwales.com
Once there was an enclave of British factories making innovative climbing equipment in North Wales: HB, Clog and DMM. But DMM, in Llanberis, is now the
R Alpkit: stepping back in time?
sole manufacturer of climbing hardware left in the UK. How do they make it work? I called Chris Rowlands, DMM Brand Manager, for a chat.
“Of course, it’d be cheaper to have products made in
the Far East, but imagine if we said to our staff, ‘Right we’ll sack you off and just keep a warehouse here!’” Chris has a good chuckle. “Anyway, then we’d just be another ‘Made in China’ hardwear brand fi ghting it out at the lower end. We’ve had to continually reinvest in the blood and guts of the factory – technical processes, machinery – but it’s worth it.” There are obvious disadvantages to having all your stock made thousands of miles away on another continent. DMM knows exactly what goes on in its factory and they’ve trained up a wealth of experience: some of their staff have worked there for 30 years. “We’ve got more effi cient and can still produce karabiners here in Wales at a competitive price,” says Chris. “Meanwhile those who sold out to the Far East have been hit with price rises. Yes, we have to pay proper wages and abide by proper health and safety regulations but we’ve come through much stronger.”
Because manufacturing prices in China have risen, many Western companies have now sought out cheaper labour
Hope Technology: bike gear, Lancashire.
www.hopetech.com
PHD:
mountaineering clothing and equipment,
Manchester.
www.phdesigns.com 52 | 70TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR | FOR BRITISH CLIMBING AND WALKING SINCE 1944
Rab:
Fill and fi nish down sleeping bags in house; expedition gear.
www.rabuk.com
PHOTO: DMM.
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