Burnley firm is flying the flag for fabrics manufacturing (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley firm is flying the flag for fabrics manufacturing

3:52pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Business

FABRICS manufactured in Burnley are being used in a new range of furniture based on the Union flag.

The Up The Flagpole range of furniture by James Spencer and Co has fabrics designed, and manufact-ured by Panaz Fabrics, from Fence, in Burnley.

The range, which neatly ties in with the Jubilee, Olympics and current vogue for the Union flag, maintains a proud royal link for Panaz, who won the Queen’s award for innovation in 2004, and export in 1997.

CEO Tony Attard, who formed the company in 1986 was also awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2010, in recognition of his serv- ices to the UK textile industry and internation-al trade.

Since 1986, Panaz, which employs 69 people at its Spring Mill HQ, has ear-ned a global market for its contract furnishing manufacture and design with offices and agents as far away as Dubai and the United States. The company now exports to 46 countries, The Up The Flagpole range incorporates chairs, suites, footstools, cushions and pouffes for both the corporate and consumer markets.

Karen Fairhurst, from Panaz, said the company was proud of its patr-iotism and its internat-ional profile. She said: “With these fabrics, we are flying the flag on behalf of Britain and Brit- ish manufacturing.

“Panaz has enjoyed str-ong connections with roy- alty and when we were given our first Queen’s award we welcomed Prince Andrew to the factory and held a reception for him and the staff in a nearby marquee.

“The flag is everywhere this year with the Jubilee, Olympics and other events and we’re proud to be involved with this range of furniture.”