Teemill Tech Limited and its sister business Rapanui is increasing capacity tenfold and plans to create 100 jobs after purchasing a 15,000 sq. ft site to build a new facility, with support from the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Clean Growth Finance Initiative.
Teemill Tech Limited manufacturers t-shirts in their renewable-energy powered factory. All are custom made from organic cotton. The business runs an online platform where customers can build and sell personalised tops. International supermodel Kate Moss and comedian Russell Howard were both recently pictured wearing their Teemill Tech t-shirts.
The expansion of their factory will enable Teemill Tech to:
- Increase its manufacturing capacity from over 50,000 t-shirts a month to a t-shirt per second within the next three years
- Create 100 new jobs to bring its workforce to 175
- Build a modern campus and expand the company’s solar farm
The business has grown exponentially, doubling its customer base year-on-year since launch in 2010. To meet increased demand, Teemill Tech has secured a six-figure loan from Lloyds Bank to purchase a 15,000 sq. ft site adjacent to its current base.
Teemill Tech’s current manufacturing site in Freshwater is powered entirely by renewable energy and utilises robotics and AI to modernise the t-shirt manufacturing process, aiming to create efficiencies to make sustainability affordable.
The company has developed a plastic-free circular supply chain. Every product is designed to be returned and exchanged for store credit when it is worn out. In turn, new products are made entirely from recovered material.
Rob Drake-Knight, co-founder at Teemill Tech, said: “Teemill technology enables people to participate in the fashion economy who want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We expect to see the sustainable fashion trend continue to grow as people make ever more mindful day-to-day decisions, and as technology and access improves.
“Lloyds Bank has supported our sustainability strategy and has provided the funding we need to invest in solar energy and grow our business. The new space will mean we can meet increased demand, as well as create employment opportunities for local people.”
Ben Mackett, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Teemill Tech is an ambitious firm, which operates with sustainability at its core. The rapid growth of its customer base speaks for itself, with customers across the UK valuing the quality of the products.
“Our pledge to loan up to £3.6 billion to businesses in the South East in 2019 enables us to be by the side of sustainable firms as they take steps to achieve growth. Last year, we also launched the £2billion Clean Growth Finance Initiative last year to support companies proactively seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Chamber members recently visited the Rapanui / Teemill site in Freshwater for a tour of the factory. Click on the gallery to see the photos.
