Join us for a chat with Lizzie, our Creative Director, whilst we delve into the history of Phoenox Textiles, and hear all about whats coming next!
Q: Phoenox has grown so rapidly over the last few years, would you give us a brief overview of the history of the business?
A: Absolutely, we are very proud of the growth we continue to achieve - there aren’t many businesses that have been around doing what we do for as long as we have. Phoenox Textiles is a family run business, based in West Yorkshire with a history spanning over 70 years. Started by Jack Mosley, who found the perfect home for the business at the former Beanland Co. factory at Grove Mills in Scissett.
He started the business as a small manufacturer of textiles, making fabric for bus seats and traditional hearth rugs. We’ve now grown into a leader in the home and flooring sector. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for the very best quality, sustainability, and innovation while staying true to our Yorkshire roots. Today, our products are recognised globally for their style, functionality, quality and durability.
Q: Phoenox Textiles houses a wide range of brands. Can you tell us a little about each of them?
A: Of course! We love talking about our brands - we’re proud to offer a distinct portfolio that caters to different needs:
- Hug Rug: Hug Rug is our flagship, premium, eco-friendly brand. These washable mats and rugs are made from recycled materials, making them perfect for environmentally conscious households. Every product within Hug Rug is designed and manufactured in our mills in Yorkshire, making it a true British brand. Our Hug Rug customers are extremely loyal and stay with us for years. We are constantly challenging ourselves to be more innovative in how we develop the product - we launched our Eco Washable rugs last year and the response from both our trade customers and our consumers has been so powerful, we’ve have not only excited our existing consumers with these developments but we are seeing huge growth in new consumers discovering Hug Rug via this new collection.
- My Mat & My Rug: These sit under our umbrella of ‘Made for You’ brands and are for busy households, they bring hard-working products that are mid price point, so amazing value for money but still with great designs for families that don’t want to give up style for the sake of practicality, made with recycled materials and, of course made in the UK.
- Howler & Scratch: This collection celebrates our customers love for their four-legged friends. Specialising in British made mats and rugs designed for pet owners. These products are also made from recycled materials, durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, making them ideal for busy households with furry companions.
- Grimebuster: Grimebuster is all about hardwearing, functional doormats that are built to withstand heavy use. These are perfect for homes or workplaces demanding high performance wear & tear, all made in the UK. They are designed to be highly durable and priced so as not to break the bank.
- Origins: Many of our trade partners who value all that we deliver sometimes want us to offer products that we don’t have the resources to make in Yorkshire - so, although we do everything we can to always be British made - we do have some ranges that we source from longstanding, trusted partners in the Far East & Middle East. We are extremely selective about who we work with in these markets to ensure that they work with the same values of premium quality, innovative design & manufacturing and sustainable practices.
- Rug Guru: Rug Guru is our luxury rug brand. The brand offers a diverse collection of hand-crafted rugs designed to add personality and elegance to any living space. Each piece is meticulously crafted in collaboration with global partners, using only the finest man-made yarns or natural, recycled materials. The design process carefully considers pile length, texture, and patterns to ensure each rug tells its own unique story.
By offering this variety, we can meet the needs of a distinct eco-conscious consumer while bringing them amazing quality and the best value for money.
Q: What sets Phoenox Textiles apart from others in the rug and doormat sector?
A: Several factors make us stand out:
1. UK Manufacturing: We are the only business in this sector that continues to manufacture in the UK and are looking to increase our manufacturing in the UK. We take great pride in the fact that the majority of our products continue to be manufactured in our Yorkshire Mill. This allows us to maintain stringent quality standards and shorter lead times while also supporting the local economy.
2. Sustainability: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Hug Rug, for example, leads the way in eco-friendly products, with mats and rugs made from recycled materials and manufactured using environmentally friendly processes.
3. Versatile Product Range: From Hug Rug, My Mat and My Rug to pet-friendly designs with Howler & Scratch, we offer products that cater to specific needs across a broad range of customers that have very distinct needs in common - they demand the best quality
4. Innovation and Durability: We’re constantly innovating to ensure our products are not only stylish but also durable, practical, and suited to the demands of modern life.
Q: What are the benefits to your trade customers of manufacturing in the UK?
A: Our UK manufacturing brings significant advantages to our trade customers:
- Faster Production and Delivery: We can produce and deliver goods far quicker than overseas suppliers which means our customers can respond to market demands with greater flexibility.
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No International Freight Costs: By avoiding international shipping we help our trade customers save on freight expenses, making our products more cost effective.
- Consistent Quality: With manufacturing in-house, we maintain complete control over quality ensuring every product meets our high standards.
- Reduced Supply Chain Risks: Manufacturing locally reduces the risks associated with international supply chain disruptions, such as delays at ports or rising shipping costs.
Ultimately, our UK manufacturing helps us deliver reliable, efficient service to our trade partners. We can be extremely agile, which strengthens our trade partners power to compete in the market.
Q: How does Phoenox Textiles balance value with quality across its ranges?
A: By manufacturing in the UK and investing in our processes, we can control costs without compromising on quality. For example, brands like Grimebuster provide functional, robust doormats at accessible prices, while Hug Rug and Howler & Scratch demonstrate that sustainable and specialised products can still offer great value. Whether it’s affordability or tailored luxury, we’re able to deliver across the spectrum.
Q: What’s next for Phoenox Textiles? Are there any new developments we can look forward to?
A: We’re continuing to expand our product lines with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Hug Rug remains a key area of growth, and we’re looking at ways to introduce even more eco-friendly materials and processes - we have some really exciting collaborations being developed. My Mat and My Rug is also growing with the use of trends being a focused part of our design process for these products, and we plan to invest in technologies to enhance this offering. Additionally, we’re exploring opportunities to expand our footprint in international markets while maintaining our commitment to UK manufacturing.
Q: What message would you like to share with your customers and partners about Phoenox Textiles?
A: At Phoenox Textiles, we pride ourselves on great design, superior quality, being passionately innovative, and actively sustainable. Whether you’re purchasing a Hug Rug, a My Mat product or a highly practical but great value Grimebuster mat, you can trust that it’s been made with care, precision, and a commitment to excellence. We’re proud of our Yorkshire heritage and the role we play in delivering beautiful, practical products to homes and businesses around the world.
Thanks for joining us for this chat with Lizzie—there’s so much to look forward to, and we can’t wait to share what’s next!
