Loopylollylou
New User
Hi I don't know if any one could help. Looking to make a horse rug (have a design) but couldn't find anything on manufacturing one or where to begin. Any help would be great
Horse rug manufacturers
- Thread starter Loopylollylou
- Start date
Ownedby4horses
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Are you looking to enter into the rug market? I would suspect its a big market for an individual to get into.
If you think youve designed something unique why dont you get it patented and then approach some of the larger equine companies with your protected design and see if they want to buy it off you.
If its something you want to make just for yourself, then you just need to find someone with an industrial sewing machine.
If you think youve designed something unique why dont you get it patented and then approach some of the larger equine companies with your protected design and see if they want to buy it off you.
If its something you want to make just for yourself, then you just need to find someone with an industrial sewing machine.
Loopylollylou
New User
Ideally wanting to enter the rug market as it's a dream too. It wouldn't be a massive market as it's a certain area tailored for so wouldn't think a rug company would deal with it
Ownedby4horses
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Sorry to put a downer on your dream but I think it probably will be near impossible for you to enter the market with a single rug design, on your own. Ive set up a number of UK companies from scratch, so have experience.
Unless you can get one made as a prototype and approach a top rider to trial it and use their recommendation (but then they have so many people wanting to sponsor them and promote their brands and would normally be given lots of free products, so thats tricky too).
Your best bet, as I said would be to approach a large company and join forces, once your brand is established, you can then grow your business and go it alone should you chose.
Even if its "not a massive market" that youve stated - You need to have a hell of a lot of resources to set up a manufacturing company, you can't just employ "aunty joan from down the road" to start sewing rugs, if you got orders, you wont be able to keep up with them. On the other hand, if you do get orders, are they going to be of sufficient quantity to be worth you doing it? To outsource manufacturing, you'll need to commit to a minimum order (usually large amounts) and you'll need a good financial backing.
I just can't see how you could do it alone. It may be a dream but you need to think a lot more about how logical your dream is. Can you sew yourself? I come from a line of tailoress' and I make all sorts of stuff, rugs are things that need very heavy duty machinery to produce. They're not something you can just run up at home on your basic singer.
Unless you can get one made as a prototype and approach a top rider to trial it and use their recommendation (but then they have so many people wanting to sponsor them and promote their brands and would normally be given lots of free products, so thats tricky too).
Your best bet, as I said would be to approach a large company and join forces, once your brand is established, you can then grow your business and go it alone should you chose.
Even if its "not a massive market" that youve stated - You need to have a hell of a lot of resources to set up a manufacturing company, you can't just employ "aunty joan from down the road" to start sewing rugs, if you got orders, you wont be able to keep up with them. On the other hand, if you do get orders, are they going to be of sufficient quantity to be worth you doing it? To outsource manufacturing, you'll need to commit to a minimum order (usually large amounts) and you'll need a good financial backing.
I just can't see how you could do it alone. It may be a dream but you need to think a lot more about how logical your dream is. Can you sew yourself? I come from a line of tailoress' and I make all sorts of stuff, rugs are things that need very heavy duty machinery to produce. They're not something you can just run up at home on your basic singer.
Winters100
Well-Known Member
It will not be an easy or a cheap thing to do, so make sure that the business plan stacks up. If you are convinced, and have available funds to make it a reality, then I would begin by investigating manufacturers of outdoor clothing and contacting these companies, because probably they will be easier to find. Try to look for one who also has experience with rugs. Many will be in china so you might need to use a translation service, I am guessing that manufacture in the UK would drive the price too high. It will be necessary to visit the manufacturers you decide to short list (appreciate this is rather difficult now). Also make sure that you have a very exact specification of the product, every part, what materials, how seams should be sewn, what type of thread etc. If you have no experience in this sector then you are setting yourself a high goal, I know a few people in the clothing industry and they spend years finding and building relationships with reliable suppliers.
As a PS I found this link which allows for making a request for OEM manufacture https://saddleryfactory.en.made-in-china.com/Solutions/ - I don't know anything about them and presumably there are many.....
Good luck, and please do not bet the family silver on this!
As a PS I found this link which allows for making a request for OEM manufacture https://saddleryfactory.en.made-in-china.com/Solutions/ - I don't know anything about them and presumably there are many.....
Good luck, and please do not bet the family silver on this!
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
I know someone who used to make rugs, they had an industrial sewing machine, and obviously the space for a workroom and had contacts to buy the material. They did this for a few years to help finance their horses.
At Your Horse Live there was a man from South Wales who used to make rugs, I still have mine, it was made from similar material to the Rambo and has nice brass clips.
I think both gave up due to the influx of Chinese manufacturing. If you look at rugs now, I think you will find that they are all made in China.
At Your Horse Live there was a man from South Wales who used to make rugs, I still have mine, it was made from similar material to the Rambo and has nice brass clips.
I think both gave up due to the influx of Chinese manufacturing. If you look at rugs now, I think you will find that they are all made in China.
DabDab
Ah mud, splendid
When you say you have a design do you mean in your head, or properly drawn up patterns?
Have you looked into design protection (different to a patent, but gives you some legal protection)
Manufacturing a rug is not so difficult, but developing a design is harder - are you looking for a manufacturer that can give you a steer on materials and assembly techniques or do you have that all clear in your head? Do you want a company that will buy in materials and packaging for you or do you want to commission your own/free issue? Do you want a UK manufacturer or are you looking at overseas manufacture?
Do you know how you will market and sell them (this will probably be the toughest bit)?
Have you looked into design protection (different to a patent, but gives you some legal protection)
Manufacturing a rug is not so difficult, but developing a design is harder - are you looking for a manufacturer that can give you a steer on materials and assembly techniques or do you have that all clear in your head? Do you want a company that will buy in materials and packaging for you or do you want to commission your own/free issue? Do you want a UK manufacturer or are you looking at overseas manufacture?
Do you know how you will market and sell them (this will probably be the toughest bit)?