South West based RTG International, a world-wide specialist in textile and contract manufacturing, is celebrating after the factory it directly owns in Lanxi, China received the accolade of achieving ISO 9001 accreditation status.
“We are delighted to have achieved this accreditation” says Marcus Aldred, Production & Development Director, who says that having acquired ISO accreditation, the next hurdle will be proving its authenticity abroad in a climate rife with false claims to the quality management system award. “This is a fantastic achievement for our teams both here and abroad who ensure the highest quality across the board and continue to push the boundaries of excellence,” he adds.
RTG International has traded out of China for the last 16 years. It built its own manufacturing facilities in Lanxi based on the best aspects of Asian manufacturing. The factory is run by a permanent team of UK quality control personnel and supported by a state of the art Datel computer system that integrates with clients’ system and allows live access to production schedules. Proud of the excellent working environment it has created, RTG International actively encourages clients to visit on a regular basis to see first hand the wonderful facilities it offers local workers as well as its ability to provide cost effective solutions that are ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Endorsed by the IAF (International Accreditation Forum), the ISO 9001 for Design, Production and Service is one of a number of quality awards RTG International is working towards, with ETI, Sedex, SA8000, Reach, WRAP and ISO4000 due to follow hot on its heels.
The move to go for direct ownership and cut out the middleman has paid dividends for RTG International, providing complete in-house control over every stage of the manufacturing process to successfully offer clients increased flexibility, speed, accuracy and accountability whist reducing costs and raising expectations.
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Editor’s notes
Plymouth based RTG International, which is jointly owned by Production & Development Director Marcus Aldred and Commercial Director Andy Drake is a dynamic and entrepreneurial business, with innovation at its helm. Its Skyns performance clothing range is built on a revolutionary material, manufactured right down to the weave in RTG’s own factory and knitting facility, enabling low costs and high quality.
Over the last 20 years, RTG International has designed, supplied and manufactured branded clothing and merchandise for some of the biggest brands in the world. During that time it has developed an impressive portfolio which is currently serviced by over 500 employees, and is a preferred partner to the likes of Emirates, B&Q, Mark Warner, ScrewFix, Virgin and Barbour.
RTG's Skyns Performance Clothing range includes Coolskyn Plus, Coolskyn, BrightSkyn, and Thermoskyn & Duraskyn Fabrics. Visit www.skyns.co.uk
For more information or images, please contact Becca Watson on 01752 602152 or email becca.watson@rtg.co.uk
The new hybrid shirt incorporates RTG’s antibacterial Coolskyn Plus technology, an innovative wicking sweat management fabric, in its main body. A long and short sleeve option, alongside a formal poly cotton collar for neckwear, completes the official ensemble to provide comfort minus bulk and climate regulation beneath body armour. The new addition joins RTG’s larger, lighter working wardrobe which has successfully taken to the streets, banishing odours from the front line to leave the focus on crime.
RTG first developed its innovative Skyns fabric technology for the police force in 2009 when bobbies on the beat ditched their traditional white poly cotton shirts in favour of RTG’s antibacterial Coolskyn Plus polo shirt. A high visibility 3-in-1 jacket swiftly followed. Climbing on the back of Skyns’ popularity, RTG’s police clothing range has steadily expanded to incorporate a softshell, ¼ zip microfleece, short sleeve stand collar shirt, t shirt, waterproof jacket, and thermal undergarments.
"All our garments are designed and manufactured in-house to keep costs impressively low and quality excessively high," says Andy Drake, Co Founder & Director, "This new shirt offers improved comfort, while retaining the formal and traditional image of the police officer to the public," he adds.
Created for extreme working conditions, RTG’s Skyns range of fabrics are breathable, lightweight, harness nanotechnology for superior stain, wind, water and oil resistance, control body climate, keep the skin dry, and provide a boost to flexibility and performance.
Demonstrating ultra rapid moisture transfer, pill resistance and dimensional stability, Coolskyn Plus wicks sweat away from the skin to the fabric surface where it can evaporate, eliminating coldness and ‘skin cling’. On contact with perspiration, embedded silver ions with their anti bacterial effect are released from within the Coolskyn Plus fabric, suppress the bacterial growth responsible for bad smells (Staphylococcus Aureus) and provide 99.9% protection against major health hazardous micro-organisms. These include MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionelle pneumoniae and Corynebacterium spp.
A new addition to its Skyns family, Thermoskyn softshell is RTG's latest high performance fabric to be engineered and manufactured in house to provide a stylised, competitively priced, all-in-one, outdoor solution which banishes the need for multi layers and provides warmth without weight. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, the lightweight, flexible fabric provides a 100% breathable, protective shell for physical workers and sportsmen exposed to the elements, repelling water and shutting out the wind for a balanced temperature. "Thermoskyn softshell provides the benefits that previously required several layers of clothing, ensuring complete weatherproofing and ease of movement," says Marcus Aldred, Production & Development Director. "The stay dry antimicrobial technology keeps wind and rain out and allows moisture to escape, without the need of a waterproof barrier membrane. Innovative, lightweight protection that provides extreme comfort and dryness," he adds. Demonstrating ultra rapid moisture transfer, pill resistance and dimensional stability, Thermoskyn softshell has an insulating layer at its core that wicks moisture, from sweat or precipitation, away from the skin to the fabric surface where it can evaporate, eliminating coldness and ‘skin cling’. Its outer membrane provides 100% windblock thanks to a dense weave of fabric fibres. Embedded silver ions with their anti bacterial effect are also released from within the fabric on contact with perspiration. These suppress bacterial growth responsible for bad smells, prevent garments from ageing prematurely, and ensure long lasting durability and freshness. Plymouth based RTG International, which is jointly owned by Marcus Aldred and Co-Founder & Director Andy Drake is a dynamic and entrepreneurial business, with innovation at its helm. Its Skyns performance clothing range is built on a revolutionary material, manufactured right down to the weave in RTG’s own factory and knitting facility, enabling low costs and high quality. Over the last 18 years, RTG International has designed, supplied and manufactured branded clothing and merchandise for some of the biggest brands in the world. During that time it has developed an impressive portfolio which is currently serviced by over 500 employees, and is a preferred partner to the likes of Emirates, B&Q, Mark Warner, ScrewFix, Virgin and Barbour. RTG's Skyns Clothing range includes Coolskyn Plus, Coolskyn, BrightSkyn, and Thermoskyn. Coolskyn is a high performance 100% polyester fabric that maintains body climate to keep the wearer dry, cool and comfortable. BrightSkyn provides a high visibility option in 3 different fabric weights and Thermoskyn harnesses the power of nanotechnology, controlling body climate and boasting superior stain, water and oil resistant properties.
A new addition to its Skyns family, Thermoskyn softshell is RTG's latest high performance fabric to be engineered and manufactured in house to provide a stylised, competitively priced, all-in-one, outdoor solution which banishes the need for multi layers and provides warmth without weight. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, the lightweight, flexible fabric provides a 100% breathable, protective shell for physical workers and sportsmen exposed to the elements,
repelling water and shutting out the wind for a balanced temperature.
"Thermoskyn softshell provides the benefits that previously required several layers of clothing, ensuring complete weatherproofing and ease of movement," says Marcus Aldred, Production & Development Director. "The stay dry antimicrobial technology keeps wind and rain out and allows moisture to escape, without the need of a waterproof barrier membrane. Innovative, lightweight protection that provides extreme comfort and dryness," he adds.
Demonstrating ultra rapid moisture transfer, pill resistance and dimensional stability, Thermoskyn softshell has an insulating layer at its core that wicks moisture, from sweat or precipitation, away from the skin to the fabric surface where it can evaporate, eliminating coldness and ‘skin cling’. Its outer membrane provides 100% windblock thanks to a dense weave of fabric fibres. Embedded silver ions with their anti bacterial effect are also released from within the fabric on contact with perspiration. These suppress bacterial growth responsible for bad smells, prevent garments from ageing prematurely, and ensure long lasting durability and freshness.
Plymouth based RTG International, which is jointly owned by Marcus Aldred and Co-Founder & Director Andy Drake is a dynamic and entrepreneurial business, with innovation at its helm. Its Skyns performance clothing range is built on a revolutionary material, manufactured right down to the weave in RTG’s own factory and knitting facility, enabling low costs and high quality.
Over the last 18 years, RTG International has designed, supplied and manufactured branded clothing and merchandise for some of the biggest brands in the world. During that time it has developed an impressive portfolio which is currently serviced by over 500 employees, and is a preferred partner to the likes of Emirates, B&Q, Mark Warner, ScrewFix, Virgin and Barbour.
RTG's Skyns Clothing range includes Coolskyn Plus, Coolskyn, BrightSkyn, and Thermoskyn. Coolskyn is a high performance 100% polyester fabric that maintains body climate to keep the wearer dry, cool and comfortable. BrightSkyn provides a high visibility option in 3 different fabric weights and Thermoskyn harnesses the power of nanotechnology, controlling body climate and boasting superior stain, water and oil resistant properties.
South West based RTG International, a world-wide specialist in textile and contract manufacturing, has created an in-flight Microfleece Poncho using its innovative Skyns fabric technology. RTG’s latest creative injection, soon to be launched in the ultra competitive skies, will ensure the cabin experience stays fresh and people leave their customised journeys feeling valued and pampered.
The revolutionary poncho, which can also double up as a blanket, is made from Thermoskyn, a pioneering fabric that harnesses the power of nanotechnology and modified fibres. The chemicals in nanotechnology form a molecular bond with the fabric to provide unrivalled performance capabilities that include water resistance, superior stain and pill resistance. Low maintenance, hypoallergenic and designed to insulate and last, the lightweight hydrophobic breakthrough poncho also controls body climate, dries quickly and is soft and comfortable. A range of temporary and permanent anti-static treatments can also be applied to the fabric finishing stage to create a short life premium product for integration into comfort packs or a long life alternative that is washed and recycled.
Inspired by the lotus leaf, nanotechnology mimics nature so that liquids slide down the fabric of the poncho instead of soaking into the material. This extreme water repellence provides great protection when flying, especially against spilt drinks. Part of a new wave of creative comfort concepts designed by RTG to build value into a flight, a hooded and sleeved version of the Poncho is also in development. They both offer airlines the opportunity to create a calm and relaxed cabin experience as well as a first class reminder of a remarkable journey.
"A real alternative to the modacrylic blanket, the poncho is one of many innovative products in RTG's R&D stable that offer a keen price and great opportunities for branding," says Andy Drake, Co-Founder & Director, RTG International which already designs and manufactures cutting edge amenity kits, sleep suits and blankets for Virgin, Emirates and Egypt Air. "As we manufacture the poncho in our own factories, we extract savings, eliminate agents and provide airlines with total control," he adds.
South West based RTG International, a world-wide specialist in textile and contract manufacturing, is having its latest innovative Skyns fabric technology tested in the field, with favourable results that won’t cause a stink. Police forces across the UK have been cladding their Bobbies on the beat with RTG’s new, high performance, antibacterial, Coolskyn Plus clothing in a bid to eliminate sweaty pongs and nasty whiffs from the frontline.
Earlier this year, over 3,000 officers from the Wiltshire and South Yorkshire police force dumped their traditional white polycotton shirts and ties for RTG’s more practical, breathable and lightweight Coolskyn working wardrobe. RTG has now knitted a silver based, natural solution into its Coolskyn yarn which prevents micro-organisms multiplying on the textile surface. The result, Coolskyn Plus, retains the stay dry technology of Coolskyn but also tackles bacterial growth at source to prevent uniforms from spreading infections, cross-contaminating and ageing prematurely. The silver ions also protect garments against ugly stains and unpleasant smells to ensure long lasting durability and freshness.
"Workers with demanding and physical roles need clothes that regulate body climate and break boundaries when the heat is on without attacking the PH balance of the skin," says Marcus Aldred, Production & Development Director, RTG International. "Coolskyn Plus can’t stop the sweat but it prevents garments reeking because of it," he adds.
"Comfortable to wear and surpassing the demands of modern policing, the stats. of Coolskyn Plus are very impressive," says Marcus. "The ultimate workhorse, it ensures uniforms always communicate a crisp, professional image and remain hygienically clean. This in itself has major repercussions for the health and catering industry too," adds Marcus.
Demonstrating ultra rapid moisture transfer, pill resistance and dimensional stability, Coolskyn Plus is an antimicrobial 100% wicking fabric which wicks sweat away from the skin to the fabric surface where it can evaporate, eliminating coldness and ‘skin cling’. On contact with perspiration, the embedded silver ions with their anti bacterial properties get to work. They’re released from within the Coolskyn Plus fabric, suppress the bacterial growth responsible for bad smells (Staphylococcus Aureus) and provide 99.9% protection against major health hazardous micro-organisms. These include MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionelle pneumoniae and Corynebacterium spp.
Plymouth based RTG International, which is jointly owned by new product development director Marcus Aldred and commercial director Andy Drake is a dynamic and entrepreneurial business, with innovation at its helm. Its Skyns performance clothing range is built on a revolutionary material, manufactured right down to the weave in RTG’s own factory and knitting facility, enabling low costs and high quality.
RTG's Skyns Clothing range includes Coolskyn Plus, Coolskyn, BrightSkyn, and Thermoskyn. Coolskyn is a high performance 100% polyester fabric that maintains body climate to keep the wearer dry, cool and comfortable. Brightskyn provides a high visibility option in 3 different fabric weights and Thermoskyn harnesses the power of nanotechnology, controlling body climate and boasting superior stain, water and oil resistant properties.