Our History
“Over 100 years of textile experience built on loyalty, innovation, quality, passion and service.“
On the 26th January 1983 we started the business as a small production site manufacturing cotton velvet piece goods from Turkey for mail order and retail, at one point having over 60 machinists to support our “MADE IN THE UK” curtains.
My father Keith McIver came up with the idea 40 years ago and readymade curtains are still the backbone of our business.
From day one we were a business that prided ourselves on strong family values and offering value for money products.
We have worked with Dunelm for 38 years and became “Exclusive” in 2006.
Shortly afterwards, due to strong demand and a desire to remain competitive we explored production opportunities in the far East, enabling many of our UK production staff to transition into other roles within the company.
Today, we design and develop products in-house and manufacture from China, Pakistan, India and Turkey. Over the years we have expanded our offer into curtains, towels, bedding, kitchenware, and blinds, with bean bags, seat pads and cushions being filled onsite at our original Head Office and warehouse on Smithy Bridge Road.
In 2018 we opened a new site on Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale and supported future opportunities with a slightly larger, 3rd warehouse opposite to our existing site in 2021. From these sites we distribute to retail stores and online to support all customer requirements and fulfil all technical and sustainable objectives.
As a business we still pride ourselves on family values, long-term service, loyalty, commitment and teamwork. It’s what I think makes Cleland special: we continue to support our customer and our colleagues in a fair and forward-thinking manner.
A term you will hear around all three sites and one that I strongly promote is:
Stronger Together
Richard McIver, MD