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Sub Zero Technology Limited is a British outdoor clothing manufacturer based in Leicestershire. It was founded in 1969 by husband and wife team Derek and Delese Laxton. It sells technical outdoor cold weather clothing under their SUB ZERO brand. It is currently being run by the third generation of Laxtons and is still 100% family owned
History edit
After getting wet and cold walking on Helvellyn mountain in the spring of 1967[1], Derek Laxton hit upon the idea of an undergarment that would insulate the body without absorbing moisture. Using his mechanical engineering training he initially made samples in his kitchen, selling them as a side-line from his parents stall on Leicester market. In 1969 he decided to concentrate on his business idea full time and occupied a floor of the St Leonards Works in the Frog Island district of central Leicester. After rapidly expanding, new premises were sought, and in 1978 the manufacturing plant was moved to a new industrial unit in Fleckney in rural Leicestershire.[2]
| Company type | Limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor clothing, Retail |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Derek & Delese Laxton |
| Headquarters | Fleckney, Leicestershire, United Kingdom |
| Products | baselayers, mid-layers, waterproof jackets, fleece jackets, down jackets, hats, gloves, socks |
| Brands | SUB ZERO |
| Website | subzero |
1980s
To supplement the seasonal nature of their first SUB ZERO ranges, the business contract manufactured for other outdoor brands such as Mountain Equipment, Vaude, Berghaus, and Belstaff. With the offshoring of production in the early 1980s, Sub Zero concentrated on their own brand and started to market their products directly to the British consumer.
In 1982 their first dedicated base layers were introduced under the Factor 1 range.
Due to the demand for their cold weather clothing, in 1984 a separate knitting plant was set-up solely for the production of their own fabric.
To keep up with consumer sales, a mail order service was launched in 1985. This serviced many customers from around the globe who struggled to get access to Sub Zero products from their local outdoor retailers.
A further brand called Hi-Lo was introduced in 1986 to service the demand for polypropylene underwear in the Far East.
In 1988 a new mid layer range was brought to market called Factor 2. This was based on the same polyamide yarns used in the Factor 1 base layer range but provided more insulation due to the microfleece inner fabric face.
1990s
After many years spent developing a woolen fleece fabric, Sub Zero launched a limited jacket range in 1991. The outdoor market didn't take to it as cheaper polyester fleeces were becoming popular, so it was dropped. In 1992 they launched a new fleece jacket range, called Factor 3, using polyamide yarn and a TEFLON fabric treatment. This proved more popular and spun off in to accessories and under trousers.
Their first website was released in 1997 under subzero.co.uk. This complimented their thriving mail order business. In the same year, the fabric knitting plant was closed down and fabric was again produced by commission knitting.
In 1999, their Vapour Management Bag was selected as a Millennium Product by the British Design Council.
2000s
In 2000, Sub Zero started to work towards obtaining the ISO 90001 quality standard due it it becoming a requirement for contract work, especially in the military and emergency services sector. They were awarded certification in 2001. In the same year they successfully took action against Tescos for trademark infringement and passing off [3] [4].
For summer 2001, a new bi-component fabric was developed to wick away perspiration quickly as well as retain as little heat as possible. This became known as the Cool T range.
In 2005, a range of aerobic clothing was developed called the All Active range.
The accelerated decline of what was left of Leicestershire's fabric finishing sector forced Sub Zero to switch production of Factor 2 fabric from polyamide to polyester in 2005.
In 2007, the Factor 1 Plus thermal base layer range was introduced to supersede the Factor 1 range. This was a direct result of the company being unable to get the Factor 1 fabric manufactured.
2010s
A new merino wool base layer range was launched in 2012 that utilised whole body knitting, eliminating the need for any seams. It subsequently was found to be too warm and was re-classified by Sub Zero as a mid layer in 2018.
In 2015 a range of lightweight down jacket and body warmers was developed using European hydrophobic down to improve the weather resistance of the insulation, especially during wet weather.
During the winter of 2018, a thicker mid layer fabric was used to produce a new range called Factor 2 Plus. This was 20% warmer than the Factor 2 fabric.
With increased demand for summer products for the travel market, Sub Zero launched their Anti-Mosquito range of long sleeve and short sleeve tops in 2019. Based on the All Active range, these tops utilise body mapping technology with a WHO approved eco-friendly anti-insecticidal fabric treatment.
2020s
In 2020, a new base layer range was introduced called Factor 1 Eco. 75% of the fabrics composition is either recycled or biodegradable.
In 2023, Sub Zero launched there first synthetic insulated jacket range.
Environmental, Social & Governance edit
Sub Zero employ all of their workforce form the local community and surrounding villages. Their factory is situated on the Fleckney industrial estate. In 2018 they started working towards ISO 14000 Environmental Standard
Some of the more unusual sponsorships Sub Zero have been involved with include:
- Mike Howell and Rob Galways 12,900 mile cycle from St Malo to Tiananmen Square in Beijing (formerly Peking) to raise funds for Les Amis home Jersey for people with learning disabilities[5]
- British ladies Dragon boat racing team[6]
- Cambridge Mens Boat Race Crew
- Ash Routen 630km foot crossing of frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia[7] [8]
- Infinite film 2021 cast & crew
- Bendigedig Sailing Global Solo Challenge 2023[9]
With the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24/02/2022 Sub Zero [10] donated over £60,000 of cold weather clothing along with a further £10,000 from their customers[11] to charities involved with helping refugees from the conflict.
Awards, Certifications and Memberships edit
Millennium Product: on 11th November 1999, their Vapour Management Bag was selected to be a Millennium Product by the Design Council. It was one of 1012 British products selected out of a field of over 4000 entries.
ISO 9001 Quality Management System: First certified to ISO 9001:2000 on 28/08/2001, Sub Zero are now certified to the current 5th edition ISO 9001:2018. They use Bureau Veritas as their awarding body, certificate number UK012783.
Made in Britain: A member since 2018, certificate number 1482[12]
East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
- ^ "About Sub Zero". Sub Zero. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ^ Sub Zero Product Catalogue 2001-2002. Page 1-2
- ^ Adams, Steve (February 2000). "Keeping it cool for Sub Zero". Business Agenda - Leicestershire Business Partnership Magazine: 36.
- ^ Buirski, David (Winter 1999). "During the Winter". World Sports Activewear. 5 (4): 9.
- ^ Sawyer, Hayley (21 May 1990). "Slow bikes to China". Jersey Evening Post. p. 11.
- ^ Fisher, Stuart (December 1998). "Britain's best results ever". Canoeist. pp. 43–44.
- ^ Routen, Ash (18 March 2018). "Arctic Adventures". Ash Routen.
- ^ Roddie, Alex (5 April 2018). "Photo diary: British team complete expedition across Lake Baikal". The Great Outdoors.
- ^ "Bendigedig Sailing". Bendigedig Sailing.
- ^ Robinson, Dan (April 2022). "Cold clothing firm to help in Ukraine". Business Network (April 2022): 4.
- ^ "Ukrainian Appeal". Sub Zero - Ukrainian Appeal.
- ^ "Members: Sub Zero Technology Ltd". Made in Britain. 7 November 2018.
External Links edit