Scottish luxury textiles and knitwear manufacturer Johnstons of Elgin has been named as an award winner in this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, The Northern Scot reports. Johnstons has received a prestigious award in the Sustainable Development category, it was announced today.

This is the fourth such award for Johnstons, which previously landed the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1978, 1994 and 2002. As well as its centuries-old approach to working with natural, renewable, and biodegradable fibres, Johnstons has been praised for its commitment to limiting environmental impact, animal welfare and its people.

Commenting on the award, chief executive Simon Cotton told the newspaper: “When we talk about sustainability at Johnstons of Elgin, we try to cover every aspect of our product’s life and truly value every thread.”

"Throughout our 224-year history we have stayed true to this ethos through animal welfare initiatives, grassland preservation, fair work, reducing manufacturing waste, and so much more.”

Commenting this lunchtime on social media, Mr Cotton said: “We have a new flag flying over our mills this morning!”

“We are so pleased, humbled and excited to have received the Queens Award for Industry for Sustainable Development. It is a wonderful recognition for everyone right across our operation who has been working on our "360 Degree Sustainability" approach.”

“There is still lots to do, and this will only inspire us to do even more.”

Johnstons of Elgin