DEALS, MERGERS AND PARTNERSHIPS


Kit Blake, of Lurex


Partnership is weaving new Lurex products


A partnership between Loughborough University and Leicestershire-based Lurex® is helping the company develop innovative yarns and enter new product markets. Established in 1946, The


Lurex® Company is a leading global brand and manufacturer of metallic yarns. During its 70-year history, it


has added glamour to haute couture houses – including Armani, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Gianni Versace – as well as high street fashion names. Kit Blake, Lurex® Managing


Director, has been working to identify and develop a range of products which will sell year-round, regardless of trends, to secure the company’s future in uncertain times. To explore the potential of


carbon fibre as a new Lurex® product, The iNet helped the company secure Smart Innovation and Networking for Growth (SING) funding and facilitated an introduction to Kerry Walton, an expert in weaving and lecturer- researcher at the university. Kit said: “Lurex® is a purely


visual enhancement product, and we were trying to develop something for a technical and performance-oriented market. “We needed samples to


prove carbon fibre can have real visual appeal. Kerry was able to weave various samples of carbon fibre with Lurex® yarn, showing the range of patterns and effects that could be achieved.” These samples opened


discussions with several companies interested in the innovation. One processed the new carbon fibre fabrics, using resin to create solid structures for potential technical applications, and two experienced weavers are now working with Lurex® on further designs.


32 business network March 2019


Air IT has continued its partnership with Derbyshire


Air IT in naming rights at county cricket club


Chamber patron Air IT has adopted the naming rights to Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Elite Performance Centre. The centre, now known as the


Air IT Elite Performance Centre, offers exclusive facilities for players, coaches and match officials, and provides hospitality access for guests on match days. The award-winning ICT


provider’s branding will be adorned across the whole building and additional signage will be placed throughout. The deal comes as Air IT approaches its fourth year of sponsorship with the club. Jimmy Drew, Business


Development Manager at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, also a Chamber member, said: “We’re delighted that Air IT has expanded its association with the club, taking on full naming rights of the Air IT Elite Performance Centre, which includes branding on and throughout the centre. “Air IT has been a long-standing


partner of the club, which has used the power of cricket to enhance brand awareness for its business both locally and regionally.” Paul Judge, Marketing Director at


Air IT, added: “After three successful seasons with the club, we’re delighted to take our partnership to the next level with the Air IT Elite Performance Centre. “We’re thrilled to take on


building naming rights, and signage on the whole stand is certainly going to make a big impression.” Derbyshire’s ground is also to be


renamed after it agreed a major sponsorship deal with one of the


Ryan Duckett and Wayne Hollinshead


‘We are delighted to not only have a global business as our ground naming rights and Principal Partner, but one which has its roots in Derby’


region’s most successful companies. Pattonair, a world-leading aerospace and defence supply chain service provider, has agreed an investment into the club to support Derbyshire’s playing ambitions and investment in facilities. As part of the four-year deal,


Pattonair becomes the club’s Principal Partner and has naming rights over the Pattonair County Ground. Wayne Hollinshead, Chief


Executive of Pattonair, said: “Pattonair is a truly global business, with more than 2,000 customers worldwide and 1,100 employees across all continents. However, we


are keen to celebrate our Derbyshire roots and see this association with one of the county’s premier sporting teams as a fantastic opportunity.” Ryan Duckett, Chief Executive at


Derbyshire County Cricket Club, said: “We have worked closely with Pattonair in recent years and it is fantastic that we have been able to extend our partnership. Its backing will allow us to continue investing on the field as we aim to compete across all forms. We are delighted to not only have a global business as our ground naming rights and Principal Partner, but one which has its roots in Derby.”


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