Powers shows strength via Norman Ritchie buyout

Melbourne-based company Powers Textiles has kicked off its ambitious expansion plans with the purchase of North Carlton firm Norman Ritchie Fabrics.
The sale, for an undisclosed sum, became effective from October 1.
The move follows months of rumour about the alleged demise of the Ritchie business, following the sudden death of founder Norman Ritchie three years ago.
However according to new owners, David and Josie Powers, the timing of the buy-out was purely coincidental.
"It was simply an opportunity that came at the right time, following the retirement of Jennie Ritchie [Norman Ritchie's widow]," David Powers said.
Powers, who has more than 40 years' experience in the textiles and clothing industry as a textile designer, said going forward it would be a case of "business as usual" with no staff loses and no immediate changes to the structure of either company.
The business would trade on as Norman Ritchie Fabrics from its current warehouse in Nicholson Street, North Carlton but would work closely with Geelong-based weaver Concept Weaving to support Norman Ritchie's traditional markets.
Powers said Norman Ritchie fabrics would concentrate its efforts on the schoolwear and corporate areas and continue to supply quality "made in Australia" fabrics to these areas.
"We will also maintain Norman's philosophy of a partnership with our customers. We would like to assure our clients that our fabrics will still be made from the same yarn, woven on the same looms with the same fabric construction and dyed to the exclusive formulae used previously."
The takeover is part of an aggressive expansion plan Powers foresees for his business, which counts among its clients the Queensland, Tasmanian and South Australian police forces, together with the New Zealand Customs department.
The plans include developing new and innovative fabrics such as nanotex as well as further boosting the profile of its onsite fabric design and wholesale fabric supply departments.