Sportswear company is at gold standard
Hidden in a quiet corner near Preston city centre, Milano Pro Sport could be the biggest Preston company you have never heard of.
Based in Bow Lane, the staff of 47 manufacture and distribute gymnastic costumes for the Great Britain team and a host of other nations and clubs around the world.
British gold medal star Beth Tweddle recently leapt to World Championship glory in a Milano Pro Sport costume, and teams including Russia and South Africa also wear the kit.
Neil Fox, 49, who has been the managing director for the last three years, said: "I do think we are Preston's best-kept secret.
"We are exporting to more than 30 different countries and we are suppliers to the Russian team as well as the British team and a number of others.
"We are also looking after teams like Norway and Denmark. And we are also looking at doing Belarus, so I might have to nip over to Minsk!"
Neil's career took a huge change in direction when he joined the company after working as a bank manager but he has not looked back.
"It is a total change but a lot of the skills are the same. It is still managing people, and a business background will stand you in good stead.
"A lot of it is co-ordinating managers and planning what we are going to do for the future and meeting key personnel, trying to generate new business elsewhere.
"We have got good and loyal staff, so it is a good atmosphere.
"In this premises you deal with some of the best athletes in the world – it is fantastic."
Christine Stuart, 47, is the design manager and has been with the company for 10 years.
She said: "I go right through from choosing fabric, sometimes we even develop the fabric.
"We design the leotards and do pattern cutting, organising photo shoots, right through to going up to the factory.
"It is very, very hands-on in here."
Mary Pond, 64, a sample machinist who has been in the factory since 2001, said: "Apart from design samples, I do binding and fixing the bits together.
"They come in bags and you have to put them all together. I have done these jobs together since 1966.
"That's why I have got the job of sample machinist because I've done things they've never done before."
Pat Rimmer, 61, is production manager and, along with her colleague Leona Seville, ensures the factory floor runs smoothly.
Pat said: "I like the buzz of working here and the organising. I like doing different things instead of being sat all day doing one job."
Pat and her colleagues are in the midst of their busiest time of year.
She said: "We work on three-week orders and at this time of year when we are busy, that is hard work.
"This week we have 700 orders to get out."
Farid Manud, 38, a cutter who joined the company nine years ago, said: "I cut fabric with the computer and set up the computer and cut different patterns.
"The people are very friendly here and the management is good. I have been here nine years and never had a problem."
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 29 July 2010
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