A BORDERS company, which has just completed a £100,000 investment programme, has been named as an official embroiderer to Nike in the UK.

The prestigious supply accreditation from the global sportswear giant means that Jedburgh-based Middlemiss Embroidery could see turnover increase by a potential 20 per cent by next March – and boost the current 22-strong workforce. 

And the family-owned and run firm hopes the deal – along with a new website built with funding secured through Business Gateway Scottish Borders – will attract further work from international brands.

Managing director Ian Middlemiss told the Border Telegraph: “We are delighted to be added to Nike’s official supplier list. The audit process was rigorous and took two years to complete; it also took a significant investment, including expanding our warehouse and buying new machinery, to ensure that we exceeded the standards set out by the brand.

“With the launch of our new website and the advice gained from attending the Business Gateway’s DigitalBoost workshops, we are perfectly placed to capitalise on the kudos the Nike appointment brings.”

Having started up in Jedburgh as a knitwear company producing high-end cashmere jumpers in the 1980s, the firm bought its first embroidery machine four years later to fulfill an order from Burberry.

When knitwear orders began to slow, Ian joined his father (Ian snr) to help build the embroidery division, purchasing a second machine before moving to its present location at Bankend South in the town in April 2005.

The company has grown to employ 22 members of staff, and its client base now includes the likes of Proquip, Mizuno, and Cobra Puma.

“The high quality craftsmanship association with our knitwear transferred seamlessly over to the embroidery side of the business,” explained Mr Middlemiss. “Although it took us a number of years to get a foothold in the market, our reputation for turning round high-quality work quickly has attracted big names to our books.

“Because we have always been busy we have sat in a bubble but, with the Nike appointment, we feel it is a good time to push our services and hopefully create further employment in the Borders as a result.”