The 1980s saw a general slowdown across the entire UK textile industry, and  in 1986 the Bulmer  family exited the textile industry when the business was bought by Allied Textiles PLC. Over the next 10 years, the site added yarn package dyeing capabilities alongside its top dyeing and purchased the synthetic top making arm of the Sir James Hill Group.

The new Millennium saw a major change following a management buyout which established a new company known as “The Bulmer & Lumb Group Ltd”.  The business was still headquartered at Buttershaw, but over the next few years became a fully vertical mill.

Over the last couple of decades the Bulmer and Lumb Group has worked hard to build on its excellent reputation and consolidate the business;  concentrating on its core skills of wet processing and colouration, adding carding and scouring facilities to the site. During this period a far greater effort has been made in managing energy and minimising any impact activities have on the environment. We were one of the first textile companies in the UK to be awarded an IPPC certification.   

With continued investment in both skills and equipment, we look forward to the next 100 years of activity in the UK as a leading textile manufacturer.