Abstract
Developing a Brand Identity for an Irish Knitwear SME
Bonner of Ireland is a family company committed to using traditional heritage craft to produce
quality knitwear. The Bonner of Ireland factory is situated in the wild Atlantic way close to the small
town of Ardara, Southwest Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland. While maintaining a commitment to
sustainability and traditional skills, they use innovative technology in their manufacturing process. In
2020 Bonner of Ireland and Ulster University embarked on an 18-month InterTradeIreland Fusion
project with a focus on developing a new range of knitted products to promote the Bonner brand.
This collaboration was a cross-border business initiative that aimed to develop and embed
innovation. Prior to 2020, the company delivered a range of knitted products to a diverse customer
base this project provided the opportunity to design and develop their own brand identity. The goal
was to create employment by growing their export market and online provision and by entering new
markets, with their own unique brand identity. A key purpose of the project was to bring the design
function inhouse in addition to broadening their manufacturing expertise. This paper discusses the
project and assesses the success against the key deliverables and intended outcomes.
Bonner of Ireland is a family company committed to using traditional heritage craft to produce
quality knitwear. The Bonner of Ireland factory is situated in the wild Atlantic way close to the small
town of Ardara, Southwest Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland. While maintaining a commitment to
sustainability and traditional skills, they use innovative technology in their manufacturing process. In
2020 Bonner of Ireland and Ulster University embarked on an 18-month InterTradeIreland Fusion
project with a focus on developing a new range of knitted products to promote the Bonner brand.
This collaboration was a cross-border business initiative that aimed to develop and embed
innovation. Prior to 2020, the company delivered a range of knitted products to a diverse customer
base this project provided the opportunity to design and develop their own brand identity. The goal
was to create employment by growing their export market and online provision and by entering new
markets, with their own unique brand identity. A key purpose of the project was to bring the design
function inhouse in addition to broadening their manufacturing expertise. This paper discusses the
project and assesses the success against the key deliverables and intended outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 15 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Publication status | Published online - 8 Sept 2022 |
| Event | Fleece to Fashion Conference: Creativity, Authenticity and Sustainability in knitted Textiles in Knitted Textiles - University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 8 Sept 2022 → 9 Sept 2022 https://fleecetofashion.gla.ac.uk/conference-2022-registration/ |
Conference
| Conference | Fleece to Fashion Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Glasgow |
| Period | 8/09/22 → 9/09/22 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- knit wool heritage brand SME
