Ortak are delighted to have secured a major licensing contract to provide jewellery and giftware for Historic Environment Scotland, creating new ranges as well as recreating existing designs for many historic properties and attractions.
As part of the deal, Historic Environment Scotland inspired collections will be available to purchase on the Ortak website as well as our physical stores and directly to our global trade customers via our brand new trade website. We expect to add around 500 designs to our offering over the coming year.
Here’s what Ortak owner Mike Gardens had to say about the deal, which was almost a year in the making.
“We’re really delighted to be able to announce this agreement with HES,” he said. “We’ve worked with HES for a while now, creating a small number of bespoke products that have always been popular with customers, but we always felt there was the potential to do more jointly. We started discussions with HES on a plan to design and sell new items around a year ago, just before the pandemic hit, but everyone’s continued to work hard behind the scenes to bring this fantastic project to fruition.
“Throughout the six decade history of Ortak, we’ve drawn much inspiration from Orkney’s past, and the unique natural environment of the islands, so we’ve got a particular appreciation of the need to properly protect and manage Scotland’s historic attractions. The fact we’ll be able to sell the HES inspired designs through our own shops and website, and via our new trade site, ensures a global market for the products and maximum exposure for the vital work HES does.”
Mike added: “It’s going to keep us very busy over the next few years - we’re looking at doubling our workforce – but we’ve got considerable experience in meeting large scale orders, with a high-tech design process and rapid turnaround on patterns that we combine with the more traditional jewellery making skills we’re well known for.”
Natasha Troitino, head of retail and product licensing at HES, said: “We are delighted to have signed this license with Ortak. It is a great addition to our portfolio, and we look forward to working together with Ortak to develop these ranges.
“As an organisation we’re always keen wherever possible to provide a platform for Scottish businesses and by bringing Orkney’s heritage, rich culture and Ortak’s craftsmanship together we very much hope it will reach as wide an audience as possible.”
