Famously Hawick is incredibly proud of each and every person who works in our individual businesses and the valuable role that they play. Our rich manufacturing heritage is built upon the generations who have worked here, making Hawick famous for producing world class products which are exported across the globe.
In this article we introduce you to Keith Mundell, the well-known Retail and Sales Manager of Johnstons of Elgin shop and café.
What is your role and how long have you been doing it?
I am Retail Sales and Operations Manager at Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick. I have managed both retail and the coffee shop here for the past 8 years.
What is the best thing about working at Johnstons of Elgin?
That no two days are the same, I have a great team to work with and I get to see some fabulous products. Who wouldn’t want to work with cashmere everyday.
Is there something that always surprises visitors to Johnstons of Elgin?
That they still think cashmere comes from the sheep in the surrounding fields!
Visitors still find it amazing that the Mill is attached to the Visitor Centre and have said it’s like a Tardis, it just goes on and on and on.
What makes Johnstons different or unique?
That we are a vertical mill. This means that we are the only manufacturer in Scotland to have the capability to take natural fibres from a raw state through every stage of the process to perfectly finished products in cashmere, vicuna, lambswool and merino, so we control every process from goat to coat.
What is the funniest thing that a visitor has ever said during a tour of Johnstons?
We have separate barrows for cashmere and merino. The cashmere barrow has ‘Cash Only’ on them. Visitors still think they can buy these for cash only!
What, in your opinion, makes Hawick so special?
Undoubtedly it is the strong community which makes Hawick so special. Also, Hawick is so near the countryside and there are some great walks right on the doorstep.
What do you like to do when not at work?
My happy place is fishing for trout and salmon in the local Scottish Borders rivers and lochs as well as walking my dogs.
What makes Famously Hawick so good?
Famously Hawick is great because we are encouraging visitors to experience the Cashmere, Tweed and Whisky Town, 5 premium Scottish producers all located in one famous Scottish town. And it is great for the local economy too.
What is your favourite movie?
True Romance, with Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette.
If you had to sum up Famously Hawick in just five words, what would they be?
Luxury in bite size chunks.