With a history of inventions and innovations going back to 1789. Hattersley of Keighley have been responsible for many advances in the textile industry over the years, which have transformed textile production in many ways and forms. It is this tradition and spirit of quest that characterises the company today and has made it a World beater in it's fields.

Tony Woodyatt, managing director since 1987, with his encompassing technical and academic grounding in the narrow fabrics industry, joined the company in 1971:

"I joined Hattersley's because, quite frankly, they were one of the most famous names in textiles."

"In those days their strength was in the manufacture of high quality textile machinery of their own design and development. Nowadays the Hattersley name is associated with the actual manufacture of woven products."

"We as a company believe, in fact we are passionate about, giving customers what they want, even if ultimately there is more work, or cost, involved in achieving this end."

"Good old-fashioned customer service - by which I mean total honesty and 100 per cent effort - coupled with top quality products at highly competitive prices play a major part in our success and applies in everything we supply, whether it be webbing, wicks, braids or mantles."

The management team is highly dynamic and efficient with all members having some relevant technical qualification. The technically-orientated sales force headed by David Batty, sales director, working closely with Nicholas Rippin and Andy Jordan are at the disposal of our customers at all times to efficiently satisfy their widely varying needs. They are supported back at base by Stephanie Dawkins on Customer Support and Liaison and Linda Lewis on Development.

Wicks also represent a substantial part of Hattersley's output, especially on export markets. They offer the World's most comprehensive range of wicks for modern and antique kerosene heaters and lamps. The company's dedication to progress is exemplified by its wicks development laboratory/testing room and wick library, which Mr Woodyatt established within the factory in 1992, and has been used since then to develop their products to the highest possible level.

Mr Woodyatt explains:

"The Japanese have developed their wicks solely around the refined kerosene available in the Far East. We have taken our products a stage further and as a result of our constant development program our wicks have been recognised as the finest in the World because they perform very well in all grades of kerosene."