Serious confusion has arisen as two industry research associations have been using the initials “FCRA”.
One is the Fabric Care Research Association Ltd, which is located in Harrogate, and which has a long history of providing technical services to the UK textile care sector. The other is Kettering-based SATRA, which is new to the textile care area and which has invested some £200 000 in a special centre.
The two were due to bring their activities together but FCRA Ltd members decided, by ballot, that this plan should not be followed through. Both organisations have been using the initials “FCRA” but now SATRA has decided to drop its “FCRA Technology Centre” title.
Is there room for two research associations for the UK textile care sector? FCRA Ltd and SATRA are both offering technical and training services and it is hard to envisage how the textile care sector, which is modest in size compared to some others, will provide sufficient custom to make the running of the two textile care-related operations viable.
It is essential that representations on technical matters are made effectively at national and international levels. There is a strong case for the industry to have one research organisation which looks after its interests comprehensively and is its true voice.
