A leading Shetland knitwear supplier is doubling its workforce as it pulls out all the stops to complete new orders with two major US firms.

Judane (Shetland) Ltd has secured two of its largest orders to date from American retailers Polo Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, and has begun a recruitment drive to find 23 additional workers for the Lerwick factory to keep pace with demand.

The orders will see Judane's garments being sold in shops as far afield as America, continental Europe, Canada, Chile and China, and with many of the clothing labels carrying the Shetland knitwear trademark, will also guarantee worldwide exposure for the island's industry.

Judane has been trading from Shetland for over 30 years and during this time has received a steady stream of orders for its quality Shetland wool goods.  However, with Far East companies flooding the market with mass-produced garments, and an increase in international competition, the UK textile industry as a whole has witnessed a general downturn in sales.

Judane's managing director, Frank Miller, believes the order has come at an important time for the company.  He said:

"Like many firms, we have suffered from competition from the Far East but at last we are seeing an increase in demand for quality, authentic knitwear.  These contracts are good news for us and I hope it will become a turning point for the whole Shetland knitwear industry.

"Hopefully, this is the start of a long relationship with the US as these orders just scratch the surface of the demand over there.  Shetland's reputation for quality knitwear has impressed them so far and long may it continue."

With Shetland's knitwear industry contributing around £5million to the local economy as well as being a major island employer, Shetland Enterprise is keen to encourage local producers to expand. Together with Shetland Development Trust, they have supported Judane's expansion with a financial package towards the costs of sourcing raw materials and labour to meet the order.

Shetland Enterprise has awarded Judane a £65,000 grant and development manager Steven Guthrie said:  "This is a great boost for the local knitwear industry.  The island's knitwear is synonymous with quality and these deals will help to put the Shetland name on a global platform, hopefully leading to more interest from international buyers."