About Us
Welcome to Hainsworth protective fabrics
We develop and manufacture specialist protective fabrics with a single purpose: to keep people safe and protected in the most hazardous situations.
Our mission is to keep you safe.
We’ve been providing protective fabrics to the emergency service for more than 150 years, since we first supplied wool melton to the London Fire Brigade.
Since then we’ve continued to innovate, combining our understanding of the inherent protective properties of wool with the latest advances in fabric technology to create fabrics that provide durability and comfort, fabrics that offer the ultimate protection when lives are on the line.
A history of innovation
While we have a long history of providing protective fabrics to the fire services, that history has been one of constant innovation.
We were the first to recognise the inherent fire-resistant properties of woollen fabrics and we’ve continued to explore their capabilities, integrating the most advanced fabric technologies to make them lighter, more durable, and ultimately, safer.
Hainsworth Protective Fabrics
through the years
We’ve been instrumental in bringing the ultimate protective textile technologies to the market, from the Victorian era to the modern day. Here’s how it all started.
1783
Weaving in Yorkshire since 1783
AW Hainsworth is established in Farsley, Leeds.
1815
The Battle of Waterloo
Hainsworth supplies scarlet uniform cloth to the British Army. This wool melton cloth was the most flame-retardant fabric on the market at the time.
1850
Supplying to the first fire brigade
In the 1850s we supplied the same wool melton cloth to the London Fire Brigade, which had just been formed by Eyre Massey Shaw.
1899
Khaki Serge for the British Army
With the growing use of rifles and artillery in combat, the demand for bright scarlet cloth is replaced by a need for camouflage colours. Hainsworth works with Yorkshire College to create a new worsted fabric construction in Khaki, and in 1899 the first orders are placed by the British Army.
1918
The ‘Boys in Blue’
When the Air force separated from the Army in 1918 and approached Hainsworth for colour ideas to allow them to have their own identity, it was Hainsworth that proposed the distinctive blue cloth that they have worn ever since.
1975
Introducing Nomex to the UK
Hainsworth works with DuPont to introduce the first protective Nomex fabrics to the UK, supplying Nomex Type 450 to the Ministry of Defence. This is a revolutionary step for a market used to wool, but one that will prove to be very successful.
1989
The first Nomex fire suit
The tragedy of the King’s Cross fire leads to reforms in firefighter PPE. In collaboration with DuPont, Hainsworth develop and supply Nomex Delta-T for the London Fire Brigade.
2000
TITAN is born
In 2000 Hainsworth develop and patent an outer shell fabric woven using meta- and para-aramids, TI-technology. This later becomes TITAN, a range of fabrics for structural fire suits, and wins the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2003.
2012
Introducing ECO-DRY
In 2012 we worked with Australian firefighters to develop ECO-DRY, a wildland fabric harnessing the moisture wicking properties of merino wool.
2016
TITAN 1260
The newest version of TITAN is introduced. TITAN 1260 is woven using Pbi fibres, and proves to be a hit with firefighters. TITAN 1260 is later selected as the structural fabric used in the UK Collaborative Procurement Framework, and is worn by the majority of firefighters in the country.
2021
The next generation of PPE
Hainsworth launch AGILE, a pioneering flame-retardant fabric for structural fire suits and police riot coveralls. AGILE is woven in a twill structure that provides maximum protection against liquids, and weighs only 180gsm.
2024
PBI NRG LP
Hainsworth introduces a new version of AGILE woven using PBI LP fibre – named PBI NRG LP.
Rethink
Rethink
As mindful manufacturers, we only source materials from suppliers which we have a long-term relationships with, that practice responsible land management and have respect for animal welfare. We are proud to be one of the first British mills to be awarded the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
Refuse
Refuse
We are constantly reviewing the packaging we send out and receive from suppliers, and refuse to use non-recyclable or biodegradable packaging unless no alternative is available.
Reduce
Reduce
We constantly monitor and review our processes to reduce the energy, emissions and effluent produced at the mill. We are on target to reduce our overall carbon footprint by 5% by the end of 2025.
Reuse
Reuse
We wind our yarns onto reusable plastic cones instead of disposable ones, which we then enter back into the production process after use.
Recycle
Recycle
We proudly achieved Zero to Landfill in 2023 and 2024, after investing in balers, educating our workforce, and sourcing new waste management partners.
Repair
Repair
We have recently built an Engineering Centre at the mill, which will allow our Engineering team to more efficiently fix machine breakdowns in-house, enhancing their skills and preventing the need to ship parts across the world for repair.
