Coats has opened innovation hubs in Turkey, China and the US. These dedicated centers at key locations around the world enable Coats to collaborate with a range of innovation partners including customers, brands, suppliers, universities and start-ups. They will develop pioneering new products and processes in apparel and footwear and hi-tech products for end uses in automotive, oil and gas, protective wear and telecommunications by providing creative and inspiring spaces where an innovative idea can be developed collaboratively and rapidly worked up into a prototype design which is then manufactured in a standalone pilot factory.

Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread company. Each of the hubs has a distinct areas of focus. The location of the hubs has been specifically chosen. The hub in Turkey is at the center of the automotive industry in Turkey and will drive development into that sector through its focus on composite design and engineering as well as across all Coats’ technologies. It will be key to developing an innovative range of products taking personal protection garments to the next level in terms of comfort, fit, look and safety. China is a leading hub for apparel and footwear and the hub there will have a focus on creating a sustainable product portfolio.