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ABOUT US

ABOUT US

Ensign Badges Limited was established in 1976 and means we have been producing Woven and Embroidered badges for over 46 years. Our core business has always been producing badges for the Scouts and the Girl Guides and it was back at a time when the UK was preparing for the Queens Silver Jubilee which took place in 1977.

At this time, it was decided that every child in the Country would be given a Commemorative T-Cup and a Woven Commemorative Badge. The weaving of the cloth was not really a problem even back then as modern Air Jet Looms could weave 24 hours a day and 7 days a week if required.  But it became clear that there would be an issue manufacturing the actual badges.

Very little has changed over the years as the process of turning narrow woven fabrics into badges is still very labour intensive. Broad looms and broad heat presses allow the backing material to be pressed much quicker and in much larger volumes. This obviously helps in production and along with modern laser cutting machines has improved the accuracy and speed but eventually it lands in the hands of a human being to sew and bind the edges.  A process known as Overlocking and sometimes referred to as Merrowed Edges. (Although Merrow is the name of a brand of sewing machine and not a process).  Using traditional overlocking machines and the skill of the operators the badges must be overlocked to prevent them from fraying and to give an attractive edging. Some badges are supplied without as the laser cutting heat seals the edges which also prevent fraying.

It was this opportunity that was seen by George Harrison who at the time was employed by another weaving/badge company in the UK that he decided to set up and start his own company. His wife Cynthia who had worked extensively in the tailoring industry which had its heartland in Leeds, West Yorkshire and was an accomplished and very skilful seamstress and soon mastered and ultimately taught other machinists how the process worked and differed from traditional suit making,

Our Quality is Your Identity

Discover the differences in our techniques of production and take a look at some of the fabulous work we have already supplied – WOVEN BADGES, EMBROIDERED BADGES, SCOUTS & GUIDES, TIES