The Big Interview
Today, Hobkirk Sewing Machines occupies five shops in a row in Darwen Street (118 to 130), with the other retail premises having closed down over the years. With the rise of the internet, it is now possible for the business to operate from one premises rather than to have shops dotted around the north west. The most recent expansion for Hobkirk was to purchase 130 Darwen Street around three years ago to house a dedicated showroom for the embroidery division. It is from here that Hobkirk showcases and demonstrates its range of Ricoma and Brother embroidery machines for the garment decoration market. With Brother covering the
semi-commercial market with its range of single-head embroidery machines and Ricoma targeting the more professional embroiderer with its range of multi-head machines, Hobkirk has every corner of the industry covered. “Our relationship with these manufacturers is very strong. We are proud to distribute these popular machines, alongside our domestic and industrial sewing machines,” says Mark. The embroidery division may only comprise around 25% of Hobkirk Sewing Machines’ sales, but for Mark having this side of the business adds a slice of variety to the working day. “The sewing and embroidery industry is in the blood when you have been in it for so long. We live and breathe textiles. One day I can be in an underwear factory, the next I can be talking to an airline about their sewing requirements. It’s a very exciting and varied job,” says Mark.
Love of the industry
This love of the industry can be seen in the museum that resides across three rooms above 130 Darwen Street. Visitors can see more than 200 antique sewing machines that have been personally and lovingly collected by Mark’s father over the last 50 years.
The current Hobkirk team is comprised of 16 members, with Mark at the helm. He is joined by Marcus Gannon as co-director, who joined the business 10 years ago, and his wife Kathy as company secretary. Mark and Kathy have two children aged 21 and 15. It
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
L-R: Lewis Aspden, Linda Shore, Marcus Gannon and Mark Hobkirk could be found on the Hobkirk Sewing Machines’ stand at P&P LIVE! earlier in the year
Hobkirk Sewing Machines at a glance
• Hobkirk Sewing Machines was founded in 1903 by William Hobkirk. • Mark Hobkirk joined the family business in 1993.
• Hobkirk Sewing Machines now occupies a 10,000sq ft premises in Darwen Street, Blackburn.
• The on-site museum houses over 200 antique sewing machines. • The embroidery division comprises around 25% of Hobkirk’s sales. • Mark heads up a 16-strong team. • Hobkirk Sewing Machines has been exhibiting at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! for 12 years.
The shopfront in Darwen Street, Blackburn
Mark says: “It would be lovely if they continued in the family business, but I think at the moment they are looking at other career paths.” At the moment the business is in the safe hands of Mark and Marcus and their focus is to continue to improve the customers’ experience. To continue with doing what they already do well, but to do it better. Continuing to stay true to the company’s motto of ‘the firm you can trust’.
The embroidery showroom
is yet to be seen if they will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and become the fifth generation to join Hobkirk Sewing Machines.
120 years is a milestone achievement that cannot go uncelebrated. To mark 12 decades of trading, Mark is whisking his staff and their partners off for a spa weekend at the beginning of July for a few days of well-deserved pampering. With both the domestic and commercial sides of the business doing extremely well, there is no doubt that Hobkirk will ring in its 130th anniversary in 10 years’ time.
May 2023 | 57 |
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