CMYUK has announced its plans to build a new Digital Textile Development Facility in Shrewsbury. The construction, which will be an extension of their existing industry-renowned Demonstration and Training Centre, will showcase the market-leading digital textile printing equipment and associated technologies. The new facility will enable CMYUK to expand on its growth in the textile digital print market both on production equipment and on the development of new textile materials for the emerging décor, design and fashion markets. This dedicated business division has already established close product development programmes with a number of key textile and equipment manufacturing partners and that drive for product innovation will increase significantly once the Centre is on stream in 2019.

CMYUK Group Director Robin East says of the dedicated textile facility, “We’re really excited to announce this further investment into our infrastructure, setting out our stall to become the UK’s market-leading supplier for digital textile production equipment and materials.”

CMYUK recently announced the appointment of Brett Platt as Digital Textile Division Manager. Platt will work closely with Michael Crook, Commercial Director, and Joel Willcock (textile material business development), establishing the research and development infrastructure to bring new fabrics to market. The Centre will enable CMYUK to evaluate new products for a wide range of textile printing technologies.

“Our objective will be to develop a comprehensive range of natural and man-made fabrics from cottons, linens and polyesters” says Platt, “We will be a one-stop supplier for equipment and material for companies of all sizes.”

CMYUK will be developing and proving coatings to support their expanding range of natural fabrics, working closely with chemical companies to formulate solutions. Research and development will play a large part in the growth of the new division, including advancement with pigment printing that will help customers achieve the best possible colour and fixation when printing directly onto natural fabrics.

East continues, “We will also be partnering with designers and production companies to showcase solutions for textile market sectors including contemporary wall and ceiling systems, décor and fashion, hosting many innovation days for customers within the business and educational sectors.”