A Scottish textiles batch product manufacturer, focused on offering sustainable and ethical alternatives for apparel and accessories, has moved to Fife.

The social enterprise’s expansion will create two green jobs immediately, with a further 15 machinist roles to be created over a longer period.

Kalopsia Collective, headed up by husband-and-wife partnership, Adam Robertson and Nina Falk, has moved to premises in Dunfermline’s Gardeners’ Street.

The 8,000 sq. ft. premises will bring the social enterprise many more opportunities, including the ability to work with larger clients on bigger scale orders.

The team will grow too – initially the hope is to take the number of machinists up to eight, and longer term grow that figure to 23. There are also support roles that will become available as it develops.

Adam Robertson of Kalopsia Collective, said: “Our new premises in Dunfermline will give us the space we need to grow, but also to produce clear production lines and ultimately become more efficient.”

Many of Kalopsia Collective’s clients are based in Fife, so the move from Leith, makes sense.

Nina Falk added: “We were also keen to move to Fife because of the region’s textiles history and liked the connotation of creating new textile jobs in the region. That’s our hope – to create two machinist jobs immediately, then a further couple, and build up to a team of 23 machinists over a longer timescale.

“Our move to Fife is going to open so many more doors. We look forward to growing our team, developing our offering, increasing our turnover year-on-year whilst remaining sustainable.”

Kalopsia Collective was established as a social enterprise, as it seeks to be recognised for its skill in a traditional sector, as well as its ethical and sustainable approach to business, which has seen it attract several high-end luxury brands. It has grown steadily in recent years, averaging an increase in turnover of between 30 to 50 per cent year-on-year.

Core to its philosophy, is the importance of recycling cut-offs and scrap materials. Kalopsia Collective is an advocate for the responsible disposable of textiles and is taking steps to reduce fabric waste by creating new product lines with cut-offs.

Councillor Altany Craik, Convenor - Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee, welcomed Kalopsia Collective’s move to Fife.

He said: “Fife has a long association with the textiles industry, so it’s extremely exciting to hear that Kalopsia Collective has chosen Dunfermline for its new home.

“The creation of green jobs – now and in the future – is also most welcome, and through Fife Council Economic Development and Business Gateway Fife teams, we will work closely with Kalopsia Collective to ensure it has the support it needs to continue to develop and grow in such an ethical and sustainable way.”

Fife Council's Economic Development team under the banner of InvestFife, has worked closely with Kalopsia Collective to secure its move to Fife by creating a strong support group. Introductions have been made to Fife Council Planning and Fife Council Rates Team prior to the move, and more recently to Business Gateway Fife and Fife Council’s Employability Team to support on the recruitment of staff.