ANTA plan workshop expansion as globally recognised Easter Ross-based ceramics and textiles specialist gears up for business
AN "unashamedly Scottish" Easter Ross business whose hand-made products are known around the world is looking for the go-ahead to double the size of its workshop.
ANTA, based near Fearn, has established an enviable global reputation for its lovingly crafted ceramics, textiles and carpets.
But in common with many other businesses, it was faced with reinventing itself as the coronavirus crisis hit retailers hard. It closed a number of its shops and dramatically ramped up its online offering – now coming into its own with orders from around the world in the traditionally busy final quarter of the year.
The firm has tabled plans for a 300 sq.metre extension to its workshop with Highland Council.
"We had to reposition ourselves within three months. We were lucky in that we already had an online presence. I think people who did not had a much harder time. There are challenges and you have to learn quickly." - Annie Stewart
Director Annie Stewart said: "We're hoping to double the size of the workshop.We make everything here and have been manufacturing in the Highlands for 30 years."
Referring to the recent COP26 conference on climate change challenges, she said: "People are now more concerned about buying locally made products. We have always used local materials."
The business had to respond quickly to the coronavirus crisis which wiped out a substantial proportion of shop trade overnight as lockdown hit. That prompted ANTA to close several of its shops and quickly ramp up its online offering as part of a business rebuild.
She said: "We had to reposition ourselves within three months. We were lucky in that we already had an online presence. I think people who did not had a much harder time. There are challenges and you have to learn quickly."
She praised the delivery driver teams the business works with as "really supportive and an essential route to market", adding: "They have never missed a day."
Ms Stewart described the brand as "unashamedly Scottish" with an appeal to expatriates scattered across the world as well as a loyal local clientele.
Gifts are now being ordered and sent across the world – in the last week carpets to North America and ceramics to Germany and Australia.
She admitted: "Exporting to Europe is more of a challenge now."
In a hopeful note about attitudes to the manufacturing process, she said: "If it was not for people supporting hand-made products and caring about it, it would be so difficult."
The firm uses solar panels for some of its energy needs and is keen to generate as much of its own power as possible.
She admits to still getting a buzz from seeing the firm's instantly recognisable carpet bags around the shoulders of women aged from 18 to 80.
She said: "They are a walking advert for us so I love them! I had to go to Dingwall the other day and was watching the ANTA bags going up and down the street. It is lovely to see the continued appeal across the generations."
She acknowledged that despite shop closures, the intention is to maintain a factory shop at Fearn when that becomes possible. "People really like the factory seconds and there will always be a place for that.
"I do believe there's a light at the end of the tunnel."
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