SIL Group

SIL Group is a vertically integrated collective of specialist textile businesses headquartered in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Founded in 1970 by Raymond Seal, the company remains a family-owned and operated enterprise, now managed by his sons, Andrew Seal (CEO) and Jeremy Seal. A third generation of the family is also involved in the business, ensuring continuity. The group's origins trace back to Raymond Seal's initial venture in 1970, trading specialty fibres like camelhair, cashmere, and mohair from the family's dining room. The business expanded, moving to Ladywell Mills in 1977, and later diversified into yarns, weaving, dyeing, and finishing to create the larger SIL Group.

The Group operates through a portfolio of around 20 distinct businesses, each with its own heritage, some dating back over 250 years. These include Seal International, a global leader in sourcing and processing speciality natural fibres; William Halstead, known as 'masters of mohair'; and John Foster, a weaver of superfine worsted cloths since 1819. The business model is centered on a vertical integration strategy, covering every stage of textile manufacturing from sourcing raw natural fibres to producing finished luxury fabrics. This structure provides stability through centralised support functions while allowing individual businesses autonomy to remain close to their customers.

SIL Group serves a global client base in over 50 countries, supplying premium textiles to the high-end designer fashion sector, including Savile Row tailors and iconic luxury brands throughout Europe and the Middle East. The company's revenue is generated through the sale of these specialised fibres and fabrics. Recently, the group secured a multi-million pound asset-based lending facility to support its international growth ambitions and invest further in its UK and Scottish operations.

Keywords: textile manufacturing, luxury fabrics, natural fibres, vertical integration, family business, mohair, cashmere, worsted cloth, Savile Row supplier, designer fashion textiles, weaving, dyeing, finishing, UK textiles, Bradford textiles, yarn merchant, woollen jacketing, suiting cloth, speciality fibres, fabric innovation