Nottinghamshire-based print specialist MiRiCal Emblems has welcomed local MP Michelle Welsh to its Blidworth headquarters

…and production facility, highlighting the importance of British manufacturing and the role of skilled SMEs in supporting industry.

The visit saw the Sherwood Forest MP tour the company’s Mansfield Road facility, where she gained an insight into the production processes behind MiRiCal’s range of heat-applied emblems, transfers and decals. MiRiCal Emblems Ltd is a thriving SME established in 1993 with over 40 staff and plans for further expansion. The company specialises in printing high quality heat-applied emblems, transfers and decals for use on workwear, safety clothing, corporatewear and sportswear for companies worldwide.

Welsh toured the site – sporting her own personalised high visibility safety vest printed in house by MiRiCal! – to get a firsthand demonstration of how a modern print business works. Joined by managing director, Jonathan Dul and the British Printing Industries Federation’s Darren Shepherd, Welsh saw the transfer printing process in action from start to finish. Jonathan Dul, MiRiCal Emblems’ managing director, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Michelle to MiRiCal, to introduce her to the unique work we do and the fantastic team who make it happen.

Visits like this are invaluable because they give policymakers the opportunity to see for themselves the contribution we make, both locally and across the whole of the UK” Welsh met and heard from several of the company’s hardworking team, including Aimee Orton who recently finished her apprenticeship at MiRiCal during which time she won the Drupa Apprentice Award in 2024. Welsh discussed with the team opportunities for site expansion and business growth, the challenges of trade with the EU as well as discussing the importance of the print industry generally to the UK economy.

Speaking after the visit, Welsh MP said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to MiRiCal. It was fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work, craftsmanship and precision that goes into producing transfers that appear on so many different types of garments. “Meeting the team reinforced just how many rewarding careers our manufacturing sector has to offer. Print is a highly skilled, innovative industry with a bright future, and it has an important role to play in creating opportunities for young people.

“Companies like MiRiCal are the backbone of the economy, both locally here in Sherwood Forest and on the national stage.” For the laundry and textile services sector, MiRiCal’s work highlights the importance of reliable garment identification, branding and safety markings across workwear and protective clothing supply chains. As demand continues to grow for durable, high-quality garment decoration and identification solutions, specialist manufacturers such as MiRiCal play an important role in supporting the wider textile services industry. “It was encouraging that Michelle wanted to hear about the realities of modern manufacturing – and how Government can help create the right conditions for companies like ours to continue investing, expanding and creating skilled local jobs,” Dul concluded.

Left to right: Steven Barker (MiRiCal head of sales), Darren Shepherd (BPIF membership director), Michelle Welsh MP and Jonathan Dul (MiRiCal managing director)