Thomas Ferguson Recognised as Gold Level Innovator

We here at Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen are ecstatic to announce that we have become a Gold Level Innovator through Innovate NI as a part of their Innovation Accreditation Programme. We are beyond delighted that we have been recognised for demonstrating our ideas and how we use our own innovation to create a variety of traditionally woven Irish Linen home and leisure products for our customers. 

Our Chairman, David Neilly, commented: 

“Sometimes business innovation comes out of disruption to what has been normal. The innovation does not always have to be the development of something new. It can be an improvement to something you are already doing.” 

The Neilly Group’s Managing Director, Judith Neilly, also added: 

‘So many people don’t realise the intricacy of fabric design, and how it leads our innovation to create our woven-in-house fabrics and products. Our design team love collaborating with other designers, and it’s amazing to be recognised and awarded as a Gold Level Innovator by Innovate NI.’ 

About Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen 

In December 1988 Thomas Ferguson & Co. Ltd. joined the Franklins Group . This was formed by another textile Company based in Banbridge Franklins International Ltd. Franklins is the premier badge, label and embroidery specialist in the UK and Ireland and was founded in 1835, in Coventry. 

Franklins International Ltd supplies to youth organisations, commercial companies, charities, military, security and emergency services and manufacturers at local, national and international levels within the sports, industrial, fashion, career wear and promotional markets. In 1999 Franklins Group acquired Brownlow Textiles Ltd.; currently known as Brownlow Linens. Brownlow is now a brand of Thomas Ferguson Co. Ltd. 

In November, 2012 the John England brand came under the same ownership as Thomas Ferguson. John England (Banbridge) Ltd. is a designer and wholesaler of apparel and interior fabrics, and carries a wide range of unique off-the-shelf linens. 

In January, 2015 John England (Banbridge) Ltd. joined the Neilly Group. Now as a sister company of Thomas Ferguson both companies are working very closely together. John England exclusively sells fabrics by the metre and adds a wide choice of unique stock fabrics for the fashion and apparel, curtain, upholstery, theatrical linens, film productions, etc. to the range. It also designs unique fabrics along with our customers; to meet their specific requirements. 

In 2019 the company celebrated 165 years in business. 

About Innovate NI 

Innovate NI is a Department for the Economy initiative, delivered by Invest Northern Ireland, in partnership with local councils and further education colleges. Our goal is to increase the number of Northern Ireland businesses engaged in innovation. 

InnovateNI Home | Help for Northern Ireland businesses to innovate