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“We work closely with our clients on the little details that turn good uniforms into great ones”
Ana / Design Team Leader
The Murray evolution
Helping professional people to work smarter
Learn more about us through our timeline...
From starting out in a textiles factory in Northampton in 1918 to our existing operations in Coventry today, our knowledge and skills have grown alongside our business. Most importantly, we have learned that what you wear matters.
We know what an enormous task changing a uniform can be and how daunting it can seem, which is why we have developed a simple three-stage process to guide you.
The History
Murray Uniforms timeline
Arthur Chattel (Andy Bass’s paternal Grandfather) demobbed from the army after serving throughout WW1 joined his uncle’s gents outfitters and tailoring shop in Northampton. Arthur learned all about textiles & fabrics, the art of fitting clothing, measuring and alterations. After a few years, Arthur set up his own personal tailoring service to country homes, manors in estates in the area – visiting each season with his fabric pattern books for clients to choose materials. He would return within a few weeks
by appointment to deliver clothing and receive payment. Arthur continued to do this for his whole life. Mike Bass joined his father, from the corporate sector, in 1965 for 10 years on
a part-time basis to learn the tailoring and textiles trade. Mike recognised the market opportunity for Murray uniforms - supplying uniforms to the then rapidly expanding security business. Murray diversified quickly into other areas such as Corporate Workwear and Corporate Wear for the NHS and even schoolwear for a few years, and in 1976 opened the first premises in Rugby. Michael’s son Andy joined the family business in 1979 from school, whilst attending college to learn textiles and fabrics, design, pattern cutting, tailoring
and garment manufacturing. Andy completed his course in 1980 and gained his Certificate in tailoring, textiles and pattern cutting. The business then started to design its own uniforms and specification and bought a purpose built factory office and warehouse premises to manufacture its own label products from their own UK operations. Murray became one of the first uniform providers to offer an individual wearer pack service with great success winning many contracts on this basis. Price pressure in the 1990s saw manufacturing move abroad, with Murray retaining control using its own specifications, fabrics styles, etc. and beginning independent lab tests on finished products to ensure quality consistency. Due to continuing growth, Murray relocated to a 26000 sq ft warehouse and office premises in Bodmin Road Coventry. Mark Bass joined Murray enabling a succession plan with Mark becoming Managing Director and taking over the day to day running and further expansion of the business. As Part of this next phase of expansion Murray became a part of the Elmdene group accessing resources to facilitate this further expansion. As a part of the need for more office space and better customer facilities the Bodmin Road premises undergoes complete revamp providing new Offices, design studio, Meeting areas, better staff facilities and double story warehouse. Winning new contracts and forecast expansion saw Murray invest in a state of the art Double height Storage facility for hanging garments adding storage for an extra 20,000 hanging garments. 2018-28 Expansion...1918
Our story
The Idea
1930
The Beginning
The Business
1965
A Family Business
1975
The Business Plan
The Growth
1978
Leaving a Legacy
1980
A Family Business
A Tailored Business
A Family Business
2005
Murray Relocated
2009
Next Phase Expansion Plans
2013
Premises revamp expansion plans
2018
Warehouse expansion