The Big Interview
Princess Diana pictured with some members of Wimbledon FC during the 1988 FA Cup final
This factory has proved its weight in gold for Spall Sports and its customers and has become somewhat of a turning point for the business. “During this current economic situation, we are encouraging our customers to use our factory in Pakistan, which offers at least 30% discount on the prices in our UK factory,” explains Saj. Since the opening of the factory, Spall has seen its turnover increase year on year. Whether a customer chooses to support UK manufacture or save costs by using the Pakistan factory, Spall offers a three to four week lead time on products, which is incredibly quick for the industry.
Not a company to stand on its laurels, Spall was quick to react in 2020 and once the need for face masks was established during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business started to manufacture sublimated face masks and snoods. “This turned out to be our most profitable year to date!” says Saj.
The socks department in the Pakistan factory
and netball. All of these products are designed and manufactured in-house by a team of 75 experts.
A personal highlight for Saj during the last two decades was overseeing the building of a purpose-built factory in Pakistan, which was completed in 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Again, after analysing the market and looking for ways to capitalise, Spall began to manufacture bespoke knitted sports socks in its Pakistan factory towards the end of 2021. This decision was taken following the closure of a UK sock manufacturer and spotting a gap in the market to diversify and offer more to the customer.
Taking pride
Saj takes pride in what Spall offers to customers; whether that’s excellent service, affordable prices or quick lead times, it is clear these factors are very
Kits being sewn together in the UK factory
Saj Khawaja pictured with some members of the Spall team
important to him and the wider business. To continue to offer all of this and more to customers, Saj plans to further expand the factory in Pakistan, as well as expand the socks manufacturing element to capture more of the market share.
Spall Sports is a clear example of a business that is not afraid to make changes to succeed and with Saj at the helm for the last two decades he has done just that to make the business one of the market leaders in bespoke sportswear manufacture.
1980s and 1990s
During these decades Spall increasingly became involved with sportswear manufacture and became the official football kit supplier to over 50 professional football clubs, including Millwall FC and Wimbledon FC.
2000s
Spall started manufacturing bespoke cut & sew football kits, adding 10 different sport categories. Saj Khawaja bought the business in 2002 and moved UK manufacturing to Bradford.
2010s
This decade saw the
introduction of sublimated bespoke sportswear.
2020s
A purpose- built factory was opened in Pakistan to offer customers competitive pricing. Training wear was also added to the already extensive product range.
Present
Towards the end of 2021, Spall started to manufacture sports socks in-house to offer another dimension to customers.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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