10 | LUXlife Magazine 8 | LUXlife Magazine style or a shaw collar, depending of course on personal preference. Then, there are its slippers, notorious for their revolutionary five-layer sole design and precision of their craft. Across both robe and slipper offerings, there is the option to customise with an accent trim, piping, or even an embroidered logo, accurately reflecting a person’s personality. Regardless of the product chosen, CASTELLO®’s worldwide distribution capabilities entirely eliminate the need for separate manufacturers or distributors. From production to logistics and sales, everything is handled by the company’s in-house teams, including ordering, creation of the project, and scheduling delivery. Unlike many other companies who outsource their products to manufacturers in other countries and cannot be certain of the conditions in which they are created, CASTELLO® has made sure that all of its factories are fully OEKO certified, verifying that its entire operation is kind to the planet. With an operation that spans borders and continents, CASTELLO® today stands as a business empire, famous for servicing luxury hotels and establishments from around the world. This, of course, is a far cry from the business’ humble origins back in 1935, and to best understand this journey, it pays to go right back to the very beginning, to the first member of the Campbell family to get involved in the industry, William. At just 14 years old, William Campbell sought after school employment from Mr. Hugh Danford, a local textile proprietor who was married to William’s older sister, Margaret Campbell Danford. Upon Mr. Danford’s passing, Margaret took over the business’ day-to-day operations. Even as he continued along his own path, first at school and then with The T Eaton Co., William would work for the business in his spare time to help his sister, leaving only for a brief period when duty called, and he would join America’s fight in the Second World War. The decades rolled on, until one day, against the wishes of William’s wife, Mary, he made the decision to leave The T Eaton Co. after more than 25 years, entering the business on a permanent basis and setting about the transformation of what was now a small fabric converter into a bustling cutting and sewing facility. Under his watchful eye, the business would begin to manufacture for such leading corporations as Seagram, Chanel, Avon, and the Exxon Corporation. It would not be long before the second generation of the Campbell family would enter the fray, and when Richard got his start aged 12, he did so by assisting his mother with the odd job until he found himself taking a full-time role in the company’s Montreal factory, which at the time employed somewhere in the region of 80 factory workers and 50 sub-contractors. It was Richard who really set the wheels in motion for the business’ current prowess in the hospitality sector, as this was the smallest portion of the company at the time, and it is now the defining element of CASTELLO®’s portfolio. Upon expanding the table linen element of the business, Richard succeeded in securing such big-name clientele as Air Canada, Hilton Hotels, Westin, and the Four Seasons Hotels, and with this came an increased drive in the worldwide demand for the brand’s unrivalled quality products. To appease such demand, the CASTELLO® Group would be founded on the back of a partnership with a small Italian factory, introducing the business to the fine linens of Europe that it today uses across its lines, most notably its excellent Italian linen offerings, which are being celebrated with this award. The new millennium would bring with it a new generation, this time Richard’s son, (current COO) Taylor Campbell. As CASTELLO®’s Vice President from 2014 - 2023, Taylor further fortified the company’s position by focusing specifically on the high-end, luxury markets. As a result of his efforts, Taylor brought even more prestigious clients into the fold, such as Holland America’s Seaborne Cruise Line, MGM Resorts International, Aman Resorts, Fairmont Hotels, and Ritz Carlton Hotels. Taylor’s son, Anthony, was born in September 2014, and while he still has ways to go until he begins his ascent of the company ladder, he is sure to continue this heritage and secure the business’ legacy for many years to come. Now into its tenth decade of operation, CASTELLO®’s worldwide expansion is apparent through its far-reaching sales team, with account managers currently located in the four corners of the world map. Concurrently, warehouse/distribution points have experienced similar growth, all pointing towards Taylor achieving his aim of ensuring that the company’s products reach their intended global audience. Commenting on this, Richard tells us, “at CASTELLO®, we don’t just sell linens; we create experiences of comfort, elegance, and lasting beauty for our clients.” Instrumental in CASTELLO®’s sustained success has been its teams, the effective managing of which has been high on the priority list for each of the three generations that have managed the business so far. At the centre of this is a workplace culture whereby individuals are wholeheartedly encouraged to pursue their ambitions and nurture their passion, while also managing their personal lives. Richard explains, “our family-friendly policies include flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave, and remote working options.” He continues, “by offering these benefits, we demonstrate our commitment to our employees’ well-being, which translates into improved morale, increased loyalty, and higher levels of productivity.”
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