供應全球軍服的英格蘭公司(下)
Wright said he strives to strike the right balance between domestic and worldwide commitments. This was put to the test in 2015 when the company accidentally double-booked an important international exposition in Abu Dhabi with a royal visit to the Haworth factory. Wright had to fly from Manchester to the United Arab Emirates and back again within 30 hours – sleeping on planes each night to ensure he greeted Princess Anne, but also could manage the trade exhibition.
懷特表示，他希望在本土和海外業務之間尋找一種平衡。這一計劃在2015年面臨考驗，該公司當時有兩場重要活動恰好在同時舉行：一個是在阿布扎比（Abu Dhabi）舉行的重要國際貿易展，另外一個則是在哈沃斯（Haworth）工廠迎接英國皇室的訪問。懷特不得不從曼徹斯特飛到阿聯酋，然後在30小時內再飛回來——他每晚只能在飛機上睡覺，只有這樣才能既不耽誤參加貿易展，又能以飽滿的精神迎接安妮公主。
Despite Wyedean’s focus on international clients, the MoD remains crucial. This once-reliable income stream may soon narrow, though, as defence spending diminishes. “Naturally the market to expand is foreign businesss – that is our target,” Wright said.
儘管威迪恩的重點是國際客戶，但英國國防部對該公司仍然至關重要。然而，隨着國防開支的削減，這個曾經十分可靠的收入來源可能很快就會收縮。“市場自然會向海外擴張——這是我們的目標。”懷特說。
In particular, the firm is looking to the Gulf states, where they say that gold garments and British products are held in high esteem – hence the double-booked Abu Dhabi exhibition.
該公司正在瞄準海灣國家，在那裏，黃金服飾和英國產品都頗受推崇——正因如此，他才參加了阿布扎比的國際貿易展。
During the same exhibition, where a wide range of military hardware was on display – from underwater pistols to multi-million-pound Apache aircraft – Wyedean found themselves nestled in among the big guns. Even so, the company managed to strike a deal with the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
在同一個展會上還展出了各種軍事設備——從水下手槍到數百萬磅重的阿帕奇飛機——威迪恩發現他們的產品擺放在各種武器中間。即便如此，該公司還是與沙特阿拉伯國民警衛隊簽訂了協議。
From military uniforms to MJ
從軍裝到MJ
As their customer base is shifting, so are their products. In particular, Wyedean’s braids, ribbons and sashes that used to serve armies now adorn actors. Theatrical and film costumiers look to outlets like Wyedean to add authenticity and realism; the company has helped with costuming for films including Saving Private Ryan, Lord of the Rings, The Last Samurai and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite providing less than 2% of annual turnover, the Hollywood connections, Wright says, add interest to the firm.
隨着客戶類型的轉變，該公司的產品也發生了變化。具體而言，原本專供軍隊的威迪恩飾帶、勳帶、肩帶如今也成爲了娛樂明星的裝飾品。戲劇和電影服裝供應商也開始向威迪恩這樣的企業採購產品，以便增強演出的真實性；該公司還爲《拯救大兵瑞恩》、《指環王》、《最後的武士》和《奪寶奇兵》等電影提供過演出服。儘管在年營收中的佔比不到2%，但懷特表示，與好萊塢的關係的確加強了該公司的吸引力。
Michael Jackson was another icon Wyedean added to their list of celebrity recipients. The star’s tailor purchased a military tunic from Wyedean that Jackson liked, but the singer wanted to personalise it. There was one particularly novel addition: “The tailor who made the finished item revealed that they put air-conditioning inside of it, a little refrigeration unit to keep him cool,” said Wright.
邁克爾•傑克遜（Michael Jackson）是該公司的一個重要明星客戶。這位搖滾天王的服裝師從威迪恩那裏爲其購買了一件束腰緊身軍裝，並深受傑克遜的喜愛。不過，傑克遜還是希望對這件軍裝進行個性化改造。其中有一項頗具創意的附加物：“服裝師在成品中加入了空調，通過一臺小型冷卻裝置讓他保持清涼。”懷特說。
Wyedean may have faced challenges and conflicts during its 150-year history. But as long as wars are fought and films are made, it seems the brand will continue to adorn kings and queens, armies and dictators – and even the occasional celebrity.
威迪恩可能在150年的歷史上經歷過挑戰和衝突，但只要戰爭在繼續，電影在拍攝，這個品牌就會繼續爲國王、王后、軍隊、獨裁者提供服裝——偶爾也會有一些娛樂明星成爲他們的客戶。
