Firstly – facing up to the negative: Covid is resulting in loss of lives not seen in peacetime since the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. Stock markets have plummeted. People are losing their jobs. The UN projects the world economy will shrink by 3.2 per cent in 2020. Overall losses are predicted at $8.5 trillion.

However we look at it, the going is pretty tough but it would be wrong to interpret ‘challenging’ – even ‘very challenging’ - as ‘defeating’. Recovery shouldn’t necessarily mean restoring everything as it was ‘before’. Businesses – large, medium and small – have time to think, evaluate, plan and get better. Scientific knowledge, technologies, rapid communications and advances in some skill levels are available on tap to assist changes for the better.
Britain led the industrial revolution; it supplied goods to all parts of the world. Manufacturing was key to the success of the national economy for years and anything labelled ‘Made in Britain’ was guaranteed to be superb quality. This country was the powerhouse that led; others dreamt of following.

Things changed because Britain took its eye off the ball and failed to recognise the advances that were taking place in other parts of the world. Many countries were increasing their manufacturing capacity - some were doing it from a much lower cost base - but it was some time before the UK realised that competition was stiff.

Economists argue that decline in manufacturing is rooted in lack of investment, especially in relation to long-term projects - and certainly the UK was slow to adopt new technologies. At the same time, some of the emerging competitors were very good at marketing, - a skill that had hardly been needed in Britain when it was the automatic go-to country of the world.

The UK continues to be competitive – in relatively small ways – in aerospace and pharmaceuticals but it has lost the edge in many of the other industries in which it once excelled. We can still celebrate the excellence of some of the UK’s craft-based industries, for example those in which leather is the medium. British-made saddlery, bridlework and equestrian-related bespoke goods stand up to competition. ‘Made in Britain’ features well in the luxury leather sector which includes bags, baggage, belts, shoes, boots, dog collars and other pet accoutrements – plus vast ranges of bespoke goods. Last year Walpole, the trade body with 250 brands including Harrods and Burberry, reported the sector had grown by 49% in the period 2013-2017. Worth 48bn to the economy, the sector employs 156,000 people and projections indicate the value of sales for 2024 will exceed £65bn.

Of course, it is impossible to make quality luxury goods without the right basic material. Devon-based H. and F.J.Baker (leather tanning has taken place on the site since Roman times) is Britain’s only oak bark tannery using sustainable processes. The firm produces luxury quality durable leather and it’s somewhere Mark Romain, principal at the Saddlery Training Centre, likes to take students and apprentices to see first-hand the lengthy processes involved in producing top quality leather.
British tailoring was something else that was renowned around the world; fortunately, although the numbers of bespoke tailors have reduced, British tailors are still able to compete with the very best. Whilst ‘off the peg’ offers a wide range of riding clothing, nothing can quite match a garment that is made-to-measure in the finest British-produced fabrics. Every design detail is considered and discussed right down to pockets and buttons. Quality of this type gives the wearer confidence and pleasure that lasts a lifetime so it is good to know that some equestrian retailers are liaising with leading tailors in order to extend the availability of world class bespoke services.

High quality, handcrafted horseboxes and trailers are made in the UK and many are custom-built to fulfil client’s specific needs.

A lot of equestrian-related yard and field goods are produced in the Britain; stabling, arenas, horse walkers, field shelters, barns and other ancillary buildings, fencing – and great deal more. Some manufacturers offer a design service specifically tailored to the location and needs of the individual client including installation and aftercare. Again – entrepreneurial retailers have forged links with versatile manufacturers.

Over the last twenty years or so price has dominated the UK’s food sector and this dominance has infiltrated other markets. Thus, it’s no surprise that the very first thing customers ask is ‘how much?’ with no thought for the bigger picture. When things are explained to them a lot of customers will pay the extra involved in order to buy quality that represents the very best. Equestrian retailers are in an excellent position to re-educate the public about buying quality goods that are made in this country using British materials.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson, one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms, has clients in the rural sector including the equestrian industry. Duncan Cochrane-Dyet, one of the firm’s managing partners, says it makes total sense to promote British-made: “When we Brits do something well, no-one does it better. Buying British goods benefits the economy, helps to create new jobs, is good for the environment and increases long-term stability”.

MHA research reveals that shoppers would be prepared to seek goods made in this country if labelling was clearer and more visible - not hidden away in a corner of the packaging. (Some of the current confusion relates to regulations implemented by the EU. If industry is confused, no wonder labelling defeats shoppers!)
Recovering from Covid…Dealing with Brexit…Taking account of Climate Change…

MHA says the combination of these ‘challenges’ makes it essentially important to Fly the Flag and Buy British.

Equestrian retailers have the opportunity to lead the way forward!