Wyedean’s medal ribbon production hits record high
Internationally renowned manufacturer of braid and military uniform accoutrement, Wyedean Weaving, has reported doubling its medal ribbon orders since 2024.
The fourth-generation family business has seen its medal making partnerships rocket as uniformed services, medal mounters, dealers and retailers around the world seek out the company’s British manufacturing expertise in medal ribbon manufacture.
After securing a single order in March for more than 13,000 metres of the Humanitarian Medal ribbon, the team has now confirmed its medal ribbon orders have hit a record high with more than 41,000 metres manufactured in 2025/26 for 57 different campaign medal ribbons using approximately 100 shades of silk.
Wyedean’s Business Development Director Rosie Wright said: “We have a rich history of medal ribbon making which stretches back to the First World War and includes a visit from King George VI in 1946 who wanted to see production of ribbon using the recently introduced silk-nylon fabrics after the country suffered wartime shortages of silk. Today we specialise in nylon/cotton ribbon construction because of its high quality and durability.”
Weaver Scott Melvin works on a narrow fabric loom
She added: “Despite our business expanding into areas including military Colours, Standards and other accoutrement, medal ribbon manufacture continues to be a cornerstone of our production expertise and one which is growing exponentially with new global partnerships and the introduction of new medals such as the Wider Service Medal, the King’s Coronation Medal and the Humanitarian Medal.”
With 25 inhouse staff today who weave, braid and hand craft, alongside the use of a 100-year-old flat braiding machine, Wyedean has widened its production capability to manage a global supply chain which ensures it is a fully turnkey accoutrement supplier.
The company’s customers include the British Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, the Metropolitan Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Armed Forces, alongside a growing collection of commercial partners who specialise in medal mounting, dealing and retail.
Rosie added: “My grandfather recognised the growing demand for manufacturing narrow fabrics such as medal ribbon, rank braid, stripes and sashes back in 1964 and today we continue to realise his vision with Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces contracts, including manufacture of the British Armed Forces’ regimental flags, and our continued production of specialist woven medal ribbon.
Humanitarian medal ribbon on Wyedean’s Haworth loom
“Our archives showcase historic medal ribbon samples from the 1940s including the Kings Medal, the Burma Star and the Pacific Star. With so much heritage and a focus on traditional weaving techniques, we’re known as a trusted ribbon supplier to the UK medal trade and are equally comfortable creating ribbon for the Royal Victorian Order through to miniature medal ribbon.”
Wyedean was founded as a manufacturer of braid and military uniform accoutrement in Haworth by David Wright who ran the business with his father Frank Wright, a former textile machine designer who was awarded an MBE in recognition of his invention of a new yarn spinning technique called centrifugal spinning.
The business remains chaired by David’s wife Norma (101), with her son and Managing Director Robin, his wife and Sales Director Debra and their daughters Business Development Director Rosie and Systems Project Manager Susannah.