Oliver Harvey encourages DIY manufacturing with self-assembly chefwear

Chefwear supplier Oliver Harvey has announced a fundamental change to its business model.

From today, 1 April 2016, all products will cease to be manufactured in its Dukinfield factory and instead will be sold as self-assembly DIY packages.

It is understood that demand for the company's apparel is so high that its production staff are struggling to meet their targets, working long, unsociable hours to make sure supply meets demand and that all orders are ready to be despatched the following day.

The idea is that a DIY assembly system would enable the use of its trusted, loyal customer base as a substitute to their manufacturing operations, reducing the need for concepts such as "effort" and "work" among the staff, and generally improving standards throughout the company.

The new model has been considered by many to be a clone of Scandinavian powerhouse IKEA, whose flat-pack furniture solutions have rocketed it into folklore as one of the most renowned names in Europe.

Occasionally, some packages will contain fabrics which clearly aren't cut the same size as each other, more buttons than you could possibly need and nowhere near enough thread, just to keep you on your toes. Pockets and detailing may or may not be included. What will remain constant is the clear and concise 48-page assembly manual.

As a sewing machine is not included, customers are expected to identify their own solutions to the issue of stitching the garments by hand. "They're all creative people, I'm sure they can figure it out. In fact, we believe chefs across the UK will positively relish the challenge it presents," Mitchell added.

As a result of this major change, further sweeping alterations will be made to Oliver Harvey's factory and product range. Firstly, all of its chef jackets will be renamed in line with IKEA's naming policy; as their fabrics are named after traditional Swedish female names, their jackets will be renamed after British female names, such as Doris, Sharon and Babs.

Secondly, the factory will be completely renovated and repackaged into a labyrinth of purposeless showrooms complete with assembled clothing, which is not available for purchase, because that would be too easy.

Finally, there will be an on-site café selling all of your favourite British classics including, but not limited to, "fish" and chips, deep-fried Mars bars, haggis, worryingly tangy football ground pie and grandma's special apple crumble.

To maintain its UK manufacturing mantra, Oliver Harvey packages will initially only be available to UK customers, as to not promote the idea of cheap labour in other countries.