Nestled in the rolling hills of Mid-Wales, Newtown may seem like a quiet town at first glance, but its story is anything but. Once a powerhouse of textile production, this planned settlement grew from humble beginnings into a thriving centre of industrial innovation. From the rhythmic clatter of handlooms in cottage workshops to the hum of modern machinery powered by Variable Frequency Drives, Newtown’s journey through textile manufacturing is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Welsh industry.
In this blog, we explore how flannel stitched together a community, how mechanisation transformed lives, and how today’s innovators, from heritage brands like Laura Ashley to cutting-edge manufacturers like Nidec Drives, are weaving the next chapter in Newtown’s industrial story.