Last week, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, visited AE Sewing Machines in Ruabon and praised them for their huge success as a local business in Clwyd South.
On Friday 1st October 2021, Mr Baynes visited the Ruabon-based business for a first-hand look at how the company runs, which included meeting with staff and a tour of the factory. During the visit, he also met with Rhys Gerrard, the Commercial Director, and Ellis Gerrard, the Marketing Director.
AE Sewing Machines was founded in 2010 by John and Fay Gerrard and, over the last 11 years, has gone from strength to strength, expanding the services that they offer. Their core business is the manufacture and repair of sewing machines but, recognising a gap in the market for bespoke automation solutions, they have developed their business accordingly. One of the biggest purchasers of their automated machinery is the NHS which, for instance, equipped their Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing Hub making PPE equipment in Seaton Delaval with AE Sewing Machines products and received a visit from the Prime Minister in February 2021.
Mr Baynes previously praised the team at AE Sewing Machines in the House of Commons Chamber, citing them as an example of a local Welsh business in Clwyd South that successfully exports many of their products. The company’s brand is recognised around the world including in the US, China, Australia and Poland.
Simon Baynes MP said:
“It was great to get to meet with Rhys and Ellis Gerrard and staff at AE Sewing Machines to see their impressive set-up for myself and to get a better idea of how the business is run so successfully. I was impressed to hear of how they have played a big part in manufacturing machines to make PPE equipment – especially for the NHS – by supplying a wide range of high-quality, bespoke sewing equipment that covers every aspect of textile manufacturing.
And it really is amazing to see the business going from strength to strength with customers including Bentley Motors, Aston Martin, Levi Strauss, Harrods and Ruth Lee Ltd. AE Sewing Machines is a fantastic example of how a Clwyd South business is demonstrating our ability here in the UK to manufacture products locally and to reinvest profits in new equipment and in reducing their carbon footprint. I wish Rhys, Ellis and the whole team all the very best for the future.”