CLITHEROE school uniform company Trutex is to manufacture in the UK for the first time in 10 years after taking over a Rochdale firm.

Trutex has acquired John Hall Schoolwear, a school uniform manufacturing business, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal further increases Trutex’s share of the bespoke school uniform market and will see them return to manufacturing garments in the UK for the first time in over a decade.

It will also allow the company to be more reactive to the requirements of their independent retail customer base, offering an improved service and shorter lead times on certain school-specific garments. Trutex, which was founded in 1865 as the Clitheroe Shirting Company, has been producing school uniform for generations.

The organisation, which has just over 100 employees, supplies independent retailers throughout the UK.

The acquisition was supported by Trutex's private equity backer Endless LLP, who acquired Trutex in February 2010. Ian Plumb, from Endless LLP, who manages the investment, said: “Endless is delighted with the progress at Trutex and management’s continuing delivery of market leading double digit percentage growth.

“Both Trutex and the specialist school wear market are currently bucking the trend of the wider challenging retail environment.

“We are delighted to be able to support the management team in the acquisition of John Hall Schoolwear in order to further develop the growth potential and the strategic strength of the business.”

John Hall Schoolwear will continue to trade at its current location at Fieldhouse Industrial Estate as an independent business within the Trutex group. Its founders, John and Maureen Hall, will remain in their current roles.