SCOTSMAN Mark McGinley has travelled the world with his work in textiles.

But now he’s happy to call Huddersfield home as he embarks on the latest phase of a varied career.

Mark, 40, a keen Celtic supporter who grew up near Glasgow, has spent half his life in the textiles industry – much of that time as a consultant helping to set up and commission factories in the Far East.

He embarked on his career armed with City & Guilds in textile techniques, materials and processes, woollen blending and spinning and loom mechanics.

Mark has amassed a wealth of experience, having worked in China for several years, setting up and managing factories.

He has also completed contracts for clients on Las Vegas Strip and elite hotel and casino chains worldwide.

His business, MGL Textile Consultants Ltd, covers installing, servicing and maintaining machines, through to training textile engineers and improvement of quality control and management systems – all with the aim of improving efficiency, product quality and ultimately profit and turnover for his clients.

Now he is using his knowledge and experience – along with his many contacts in the industry – to produce top quality rugs and carpet for the UK market with MGL Rugs & Flooring.

Mark and his partner Deborah Tipple opened a showroom at Salendine Shopping Centre, Salendine Nook, a year ago to provide a shop window for the retail business, which supplies floor coverings for the retail trade and individuals.

They include hand-crafted bespoke products ranging from colourful and quirky rugs for children’s bedrooms to carpeting featuring corporate logos.

The showroom has benefited from being part of a vibrant shopping centre, says Mark. And it is more than holding its own in the teeth of the double-dip recession.

“The way the economy is at present, it has been hard work,” Mark admits.

“March and April is traditionally quiet in the textile trade, but June has been much better.

“We are trying to do things a bit differently to the ‘mass’ retail sector by stressing the bespoke service we offer.

“We don’t stock mass-produced rugs and carpets. We try to source things that are just that little bit different and we hold a small amount of any one product so that people can get something more exclusive. They won’t buy a carpet from us and find their neighbour already has the same!”

Mark says: “I have very good friendships with six or seven factories which are now key suppliers to the retail business.”

Offering something different is the key for retailers in the current climate, says Mark. “The high street is saturated with same-again stores,” he says.

“If you just come along and open a retail business that’s the same as everyone else’s it’s not going to happen.”