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Manufacturing Hero: Christopher Nieper

Christopher Nieper, MD of David Nieper awarded OBE in Queen’s New Year Honours

💯 Congratulations to this man – Christopher Nieper, MD of clothing manufacturer David Nieper – who has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Never has an award been more deserving.

If there is one person more than any who has continued to amaze and inspire me in his dedication to UK textile manufacturing it is Christopher.

He never sees UK manufacturing is a challenge – always as an opportunity.

Christopher has developed a sewing factory set up by his father into an almost vertical business – bringing knitwear manufacturing, fabric printing and catalogue printing all under one roof.

And he has created systems to help the factory operate a totally lean business. A business that works on a supply and demand basis meaning that nearly 100% of his stock is sold at full price.

[High street retailers are probably reading that last bit and weeping 😭]

When he saw that there would be a shortage of local workers to come into his factory to replace a workforce that was close to retirement he set up the David Nieper Academy – a school which he sponsored for 11 – 18 year olds to equip them with the skills required to work in modern industry.


He gives tirelessly to the local community, and does all of the above whilst still remaining totally unassuming and an all round nice bloke.

Christopher Nieper is truly one of UK manufacturing’s unsung heroes and it is fantastic that his hard work and dedication has been honoured in this way. Hear hear.