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About R A Smart Bespoke Textile Manufacturer Heritage
Over 50 Years of Rich Textile Heritage
Based in the silk town of Macclesfield, R A Smart have a long and rich heritage in printed textiles. Established in 1970 as a commission screen maker, printer and jacquard weaver, we have also supplied specialist textile printing equipment for nearly 40 years to commercial printers, design studios and educational establishments all over the world.
We are one of the very few remaining British bespoke textile manufacturer companies left in the UK that can offer a range of traditional and modern textile services in-house.
From Historic Traditional Textile Printing Techniques
R A Smart is actively committed to keeping the ancient art of Jacquard Weaving alive and continue to support the traditional Screen Printing processes. We have a large commission screen making capacity and can manufacture and engrave flat screens to any size utilizing the latest wax jet engraving.
To the forefront of Digital Textile Printing Technology
We have been at the forefront of Digital Textile Printing technology since the early pioneering days of the late 1990’s and can rightly claim to be experts in the supply and support of dedicated textile digital print solutions, partnering with the leading machine manufacturers we have a large and varied customer base throughout the UK. Covering a vast array of bespoke textile manufacturer applications including fashion/furnishing/sportswear/household textiles and soft signage we are in a unique position to advise and guide our customers through the various machine solutions, ink chemistries and processes required for any textile application.
R A Smart Company Milestones
1972
Started up in 1972 as a manufacturing and distributor of Printing Screens, Screen Making Materials and Machines.
1975
Short-run screen printing of Household Textiles.
1985
Short-run screen printing of Fashion Textiles, initially based in London and moved to Macclesfield in 1989.
1991
Started to supply CAD/CAM systems for screen printing.
1999
Installed first digital direct to fabric digital printing machine which ran at 0.5 metres per hour. By the end of the year 2000, we had 8 of these machines running.
2000
Commenced Screen Printing of Dye and Discharge printing of Silk Tie Fabrics.
2003
Introduced Jacquard Weaving of Silk Tie Fabrics.
2005
Built a 4,000 sq ft extension to house Jacquard Weaving.
2006
Installed Yarn Dyeing machinery so that all Warp and Weft threads are De-gummed and Dyed in house.
2009
Installed machinery to coat fabrics for Digital Printing.
2012
Ron Smart awarded Silver Medal by the Worshipful Company of Weavers for his contribution to the Textile Industry.
2013
Opened in House Sewing Room, offering finished products; Ladies and Gents Neckwear and Household Products.
2016
Added Monna Lisa No. 3 which with the 7 Mimaki’s created a Digital Print capacity of just under 1 Million metres per year.
2020
Installed an Ostoff Brushing and Singeing line plus Bleaching and Mercerising equipment. The company can now process cloth from Loom State through to Cloth ready to print, removing the dependence on outside providers.
Our Management Team
With our knowledge, heritage and in-house experience spanning decades (our management team alone has over a 100 year’s combined experience in printed textiles).
Our Management Team brings together proven textile industry experts all of whom are committed to our historic and leading digital printing textile principles.
We can offer a full ‘turn-key’ solution not only for your Digital Textile Printing requirements but also Jacquard Weaving, Screen Printing, Custom Textile Products, Textile Printing Equipment, Textile printing Consumables and much more.
Ron Smart
Company Founder
Ron founded R A Smart back in 1972, which originally started as a textile frame distribution business and over the years has evolved into one of the UK’s leading digital texting hardware and printing service providers.
Ron speaks fluent Italian. He enjoys his ski trips to Italy and also enjoys playing golf in his spare time.
Helen Prunty
Senior Manager
Helen joined R A Smart back in 1996 and is involved in the accounts and operations for the R A Smart group businesses.
Helen is a keen runner and she also enjoys camping trips and days out to National Trust parks with her family.
Andy Foster
Production Manager
Andy joined R A Smart back in 1988 and is responsible for the day to day running of the factory textile service delivery.
Andy enjoys weekend visits to Wales in his tourer and he is also a keen skier.
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