{{Short description|Retail company in Ireland}} {{more footnotes|date=December 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Use Irish English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox company | name = Avoca Handweavers | logo = | image = Avoca Handweavers, Ireland - hand weaving machine.jpg | image_caption = Hand weaving machine in use at the Mill | type = Private | slogan = | founded = 1723 | location = Kilmacanogue, County Wicklow, Ireland | key_people = | num_employees = 1,000<ref name="IT2020">{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/avoca-warns-of-redundancies-due-to-coronavirus-1.4330228 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Avoca warns of redundancies due to coronavirus | date = 14 August 2020 | accessdate = 25 December 2020 }}</ref> | num_employees_year = 2020 | industry = Textile and clothing manufacturing, retail, cafés | products = Clothes, other woollen goods, soft furnishings, food, ceramics, books, soaps & perfumes | revenue = | homepage = [http://www.avoca.com/ avoca.com] | parent = Aramark }}
'''Avoca Handweavers''', now mostly known simply as '''Avoca''', is a clothing manufacturing, retail and food business in Ireland. The company began in Avoca, County Wicklow, and is the oldest working woollen mill in Ireland and one of the world's oldest manufacturing companies.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Since 2015, it has been owned by the American food service and facilities company, Aramark.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/investments-lead-avoca-owner-aramark-to-record-14-9m-loss-1.3999165 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Investments lead Avoca owner Aramark to record €14.9m loss | date = 27 August 2019 | accessdate = 25 December 2020 }}</ref>
==History== The mill on the banks of the fast-flowing River Avoca survives from at least 1723. Travel to and from the remote village was difficult and a barter system was used. The mill was used for grinding corn for bread and spinning and weaving wool. thumb|left|A mechanised weaving machine in use at the Mill In 1760, a flying shuttle loom, capable of weaving up to 20 metres of cloth a day arrived. Workers, concerned about possible unemployment, resorted to burning some looms. ===Wynne sisters=== thumb|upright|Grounds around the Avoca mill Three sisters, Emily, Winifred, and Veronica Wynne, inherited the mill in the 1920s and introduced colour. Avoca Handweavers tweed was produced and exported, including for use by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli.<ref>{{cite book |last=Corrigan |first=Vawn |date=2020 |title=Irish Tweed: History, Tradition, Fashion |publisher=O'Brien Press |url=http://www.obrien.ie/irish-aran |isbn=9781788490214 }}</ref> The material was also used for a waistcoat for King George VI and baby blankets for the children of Queen Elizabeth II.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
===Pratt family=== In 1974, Donald Pratt, a solicitor and former cricketer engaged to handle the sale of the mill which now faced closure, decided to buy it himself.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/donald-pratt-26417691.html|title=Donald Pratt|date=2006-10-22|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=2018-10-26}}</ref> Along with his wife, Hilary, a teacher, he set about getting Avoca Handweavers back on its feet.{{tone inline|date=December 2020}} The Pratts began exporting handwoven rugs and throws to the UK and other countries. Avoca throws are still sold across the globe.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
In 2015, the Pratt family sold Avoca Handweavers to the American company Aramark.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/rich-list-2017/profiles/the-pratt-family-35588294.html| publisher = Independent News & Media | website = independent.ie | title = The Rich List 2017 - The Pratt Family | date = 3 April 2017 | accessdate = 25 December 2020 }}</ref>
===Aramark=== thumb|upright|Label on alpaca scarf As of 2020, Avoca has several retail outlets around Ireland, including at Powerscourt Estate, Malahide Castle and in Belfast. Several of these also have foodhalls and cafes attached as their food operations were expanded.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
thumb|Avoca clothing The company has a number of women's clothing ranges which it sells through its own stores designed by Amanda Pratt, as well as wholesaling in Ireland and internationally. One of these ranges is known as 'Avoca Anthology'.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
Avoca is also associated with gardens and has several rare trees in its Kilmacanogue grounds and a garden at Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford, County Wicklow.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
As of 2020, the company reportedly employed approximately 1,000 people.<ref name="IT2020"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{official website}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Retail companies of Ireland Category:County Wicklow Category:Companies of the Republic of Ireland Category:Tourist attractions in County Wicklow