20 Oct Interview with Hamish Rowan, CEO, Wilkie, Scotland
To begin the interview, could you give us a general overview of Scotland’s textile sector and its place in the economy?
Scotland has a long and proud heritage in textiles, but over the past decade, the sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. We’re seeing a purposeful shift from traditional manufacturing toward high-value technical textiles, sustainable innovation and advanced manufacturing processes.
Several key factors have fuelled this growth. Global demand for sustainable and high-performance textile solutions has risen sharply and Scotland has responded through significant investment in R&D, new technologies and sustainable materials. The pandemic further exposed the risks of long, fragile supply chains, prompting many businesses to revalue local, reliable manufacturing partners.
Our competitive strengths lie in our highly skilled workforce, deep technical expertise and a strong reputation for quality and innovation. Collaboration is critical too: we benefit from close connections between businesses, government bodies like Scottish Enterprise, organizations such as UK Fashion and Textile Association and world-class universities whose research is driven by Scottish curiosity and a desire to create better, more sustainable products.
Of course, challenges remain, from rising costs and global competition to the need for new skills in advanced manufacturing, but as an industry, we see important drivers for change and innovation. Digitalization, sustainability and stronger collaboration are turning challenges into opportunities for growth. With Scotland’s unmatched international ties, world-class connectivity and more renewable energy than we can consume, Scotland is well-positioned to compete on the global playing field.
Can you give us an overview of Wilkie and how it has grown to become a prominent player in the sector?
Wilkie is a family run, technical textile manufacturer founded in 1868. We have a proud heritage, but our focus today is on delivering innovative textile solutions across core sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, energy and defence. In these sectors our products play an important role, often in life critical applications and Wilkie is recognised as a market leader and trusted technical partner, with the ability to solve complex customer challenges.
In 2025, we’re a global business with approximately $70 million in revenue and over 400 employees worldwide. We operate manufacturing facilities in Scotland, Asia and, since our recent acquisition last year, in the United States. Our vertically integrated operating model, spanning spinning, weaving and multiple advanced coating processes, gives us end-to-end control over our supply chain, allowing us to guarantee quality and exceptional flexibility for our customers.
Wilkie is underpinned by our core values, which guide how we work with customers, employees, suppliers and society. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team, investing in robust apprenticeship and training programs. In recent years, we’ve strengthened our board to bring fresh perspectives and strategic vision. Our culture is built on empowerment, encouraging people to be bold, take initiative and grow with the company, while our globally interconnected team brings diverse viewpoints to every challenge, fuelling innovation and keeping Wilkie agile and resilient.
Our acquisition of the old Michelin site in Dundee at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), which is now a modern hub for innovation and our future move to Dundee is an important step for us. Dundee offers great talent, connectivity and the chance to contribute positively to local regeneration. Being based at MSIP will place us right in the centre of Scotland’s push for sustainable manufacturing and collaboration. We’re excited about building a new home that will house Wilkie for another 150 years plus.
At Wilkie we ‘make extraordinary happen’, with our blend of deep textile expertise, family culture, high performance operations with a vision to be truly world-class, strategic innovation and a well positioned global footprint. We’re a solutions-driven business, working closely with customers to develop highly technical products. That combination of heritage, innovation and agility makes Wilkie a leader in the Scottish textiles sector.
What innovative facilities and processes have you implemented in your manufacturing procedures?
Since 2020, Wilkie has significantly expanded its technological base. Across the group, we cover spinning, weaving and multiple coating technologies, including advanced technical coatings, PU, PVC, silicone, high-solids coatings and newly evolving eco-friendly formulations. These capabilities allow us to develop bespoke technical textiles that meet demanding performance and environmental requirements. R&D is central to our business strategy. We reinvest a significant portion of our turnover each year into innovation, because it’s how we stay ahead of the curve and support diverse markets.
We believe in achieving collaborative advantage by partnering closely with customers to co-develop solutions that meet specific technical challenges and future market needs. This close collaboration helps us stay agile and ensures we’re always innovating in the right direction.
We work with universities in Scotland, across the UK and in the US. These partnerships help us explore everything from new materials to advanced process engineering.
Regarding MSIP, while we’re not yet operational there, we’re already engaged in conversations about how Wilkie can contribute to its ecosystem. Once we’re on-site, we look forward to supporting entrepreneurship and collaborating with SMEs to accelerate sustainable manufacturing technologies.
Industry 4.0 is essential for Wilkie’s future. To compete globally from regions with traditionally higher manufacturing costs, we have to be world-class in efficiency, quality and responsiveness. Smart manufacturing tools help us to achieve that competitive edge.
We are investing in real-time monitoring systems, internet-of-things sensors and data analytics to improve production efficiency and quality control. Predictive maintenance helps us reduce downtime, while digital twins are starting to help us simulate processes before implementing physical changes.
Beyond manufacturing, we’re modernizing our business systems to connect every part of the company, from supply chain and logistics to HR and customer service. Digital customer portals, advanced planning tools and analytics are helping us serve customers faster and more efficiently.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about technologies like AI-driven demand forecasting, advanced robotics and further digital twin development. These innovations are going to be important for transforming how we operate and how we deliver value to customers.
Can you outline the importance of sustainability for Wilkie and how it drives your company, aligning with national objectives?
Sustainability is far more than a buzzword at Wilkie. It is deeply embedded in our vision and in the values of our team. Following a whole-company visioning process, sustainability emerged as one of the most important outcomes. Our people want to do better and our customers expect us to lead in this area. Sustainability forms a key part of our company’s purpose; we are leading the way in developing ecological alternatives and exploring innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the high-performance standards our customers expect. We’ve committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally by 2035. That includes transitioning to renewable energy, optimizing our processes to reduce carbon emissions and integrating sustainable materials wherever possible.
In waste management, we’re focused on creating closed-loop processes, recycling production waste and exploring waste-to-value solutions. Our coatings development is also moving toward more eco-friendly, low-emission alternatives.
Skills development is crucial to this journey. As we adopt new technologies and sustainable practices, we’re investing heavily in training and upskilling our workforce. We’re also partnering with local colleges and universities to build pathways into technical and engineering roles, ensuring a pipeline of talent for the future.
Our planned move to Dundee will enable us to deepen our community engagement. We’re passionate about contributing positively, whether that’s creating jobs, supporting local schools in STEM education, or promoting diversity and inclusion as drivers of creativity and growth.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are doing a great job of supporting and driving sustainable manufacturing in Scotland, they are engaged and keen to help companies reduce waste, drive skills and become more sustainable.
The company already has a facility in the US. Can you describe the plant for our USA Today readers and outline future expansion plans in the US?
Our expansion into Lowell, Massachusetts, was a proud moment for me personally and is one of the most significant milestones in Wilkie’s history. While we’ve been selling woven goods into the US market for about ten years, this is the first time we’ve established local manufacturing there.
Lowell and the greater Boston area have a hugely rich textile heritage. They were once at the heart of America’s industrial revolution, renowned for innovation in textile production. It feels fitting that Wilkie, as a Scottish textile manufacturer with our own long history, is now part of that legacy.
Manufacturing locally in the US offers us supply chain resilience, faster delivery times and the ability to customize products more closely for North American customers. We have ambitious plans to grow our Lowell site further in the coming years.
As for Scotland, I believe it offers an incredibly compelling proposition for foreign investors today. We have technical expertise, a skilled workforce, strong government support and a clear focus on sustainability and innovation. Scotland’s manufacturing sector isn’t just about tradition, it’s forward-looking and ready to play a significant role in global markets. Wilkie is investing over $65 million over the next 5-7years in our Scottish site 一 this is our show of faith in Scottish manufacturing and the opportunities that lie ahead of us.
What are your top priorities as CEO of Wilkie in 2025 and your long-term vision for the company?
My top priorities for 2025 are: driving sustainability: continuing progress toward our net zero targets and integrating sustainable practices throughout our business; innovating for future markets: investing in new technologies, materials and applications that position us for long-term growth in emerging sectors; and expanding our global presence, particularly scaling up our operations in the US and exploring new international opportunities.
Long-term, my vision is for Wilkie to be recognised globally as a leader in sustainable technical textiles, a company that not only creates outstanding products but also makes a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve. We’re determined to grow while remaining true to our values: innovation, quality and partnership. Challenges will inevitably arise from economic shifts to technological disruption, but I’m confident in our team’s passion and adaptability will keep Wilkie moving forward.
What are your concluding remarks and final message for USA TODAY readers?
At Wilkie, we’re proud of our Scottish heritage and our growing global footprint. We’re committed to ambitious, sustainable growth driven by innovation and modern manufacturing techniques. Each year, we’re expanding our technical capabilities and building a diverse portfolio of innovative products designed to serve evolving markets worldwide.
To USA TODAY readers: Scotland’s manufacturing sector is open for business, collaboration and new partnerships. Our nation has an incredible wealth of talent, intelligent, creative thinkers who are shaping the future of industry. Whether you’re an investor, a customer, or a future partner, there’s a tremendous opportunity to be part of Scotland’s exciting journey.