WEEKLY DIGEST

A master shirtmaker in Kent (S.E.H Kelly)

Tools for Everyday Life from Northumbria University (Sight Unseen)

Information on Birmingham Made Me, a showcase of products made in the West Midlands (Pashley News)

Scotch is big business - Diageo said to be investing £1bn (FT)

-

Photo from S.E.H Kelly

FACTORY VISITS TO DATE

Following a spike in interest (consequence of some welcome coverage from Another Something) last week I felt it timely to provide a quick round-up of the factories I have visited to date. As follows:

1. Stevenage Knitting Company : Stevenage, Hertfordshire

My first factory visit, in January 2011, was to the now defunct Stevenage Knitting Company where I met owner Paul Pinkstone. Sadly, the factory had just closed so was devoid of life. However, Mr Pinkstone was very generous with his time and showed me how various knitting machines worked as well as telling me about the illustrious history of his company.

-

2. Sunspel : Long Eaton, Derbyshire

Next up was an early Springtime trip to Long Eaton in Derbyshire to meet Nicholas Brooke, co-owner of classic underwear brand Sunspel. Over the course of a couple of hours Mr Brooke showed me the company's archive and explained the family ties that exist in the current management.

-

3. Globe-Trotter : Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

In March of 2011 I also ventured to Broxbourne in Hertfordshire to meet Gary Bott, creative director of Globe-Trotter. Mr Bott kindly told me about the luggage company's long history in detail and our conversation touched on what British manufacturing stands for today, as well as the importance of Japan. We also spent time on the factory floor, with Mr Bott showing me all of the processes that go in to the creation of a Globe-Trotter suitcase. I also had a quick chat with David, the factory manager.

-

4. Brompton : Brentford, London

Another March 2011 visit saw me head to West London for a swift tour of the Brompton folding bicycle factory. Here I had the good fortune to meet Alan, the man responsible for quality control.

-

5. Smith & Pepper : Hockley, Birmingham

A bit of a cheat's M&I visit in that this factory is now a museum. However, the guide gave a good overview of the working processes and history of this fascinating business at the heart of jewellery production in the West Midlands.

-

6. Abbeyhorn : Holme, Cumbria

In late August of 2011 I visited Abbeyhorn, a company with over 250 years of history. It was a truly informative visit, made so by Graham who has been working at the horn product makers since 1974.

-

7. Vitsoe : Camden, London

My final visit of 2011 was to Vitsoe, most famous for being the producers of Dieter Rams' 606 shelving system. Here it was the attention to detail that impressed most of all.

-

8. Alfred Dunhill : Walthamstow, London

My most recent visit was to Alfred Dunhill in East London. I was accompanied by photographer Robin Mellor who did a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of the craftsmen and women who work on the leather goods there. The visit is available in three posts: the raw materials store, the master craftsman and the processes.

-

A map showing the locations of the factories I have visited is here (it also shows a couple of distilleries I visited out of season)

WEEKLY DIGEST

A slightly extended round-up this week, potentially containing 'old' news.

A video on knitwear manufacturer John Smedley (Mr Porter)

The latest issue of The Brooks Bugle is available online (Brooks)

Umbrella magazine's latest issue has an interesting feature (p50) on the Ford factory in Dagenham (Umbrella)

According to this article, the Japanese are flocking to appreciate industrial beauty (FT)

Profile on James Eden of Private White VC (Telegraph)

On Hiut Denim and its founder David Hieatt (Business of Fashion)

Video interview with Irish crafts duo Jonathan Legge and James Carroll at New York Design Week where they were making simple stools (Makers & Brothers)

The Design Summit 2012 (on 'Who do we think we are?') looks like it could be interesting (Design Council)

Good news in the form of design copyright law change (Design Council)

Made in Britain's New Wave of designers (Telegraph)

And finally, a round-up inspired by a gentleman named Baz Clarke who has been sharing several excellent sources on the M&I Facebook page:

A couple of companies I was not aware of: Huddersfield's Richard Carter who makes tools by hand and Sugden Audio, a West Yorkshire based designer and manufacturer of audio equipment

A lovely article on Devon's Richard Morris who makes traditional tools in his mill in Dunsford (Western Morning News)

Nick Hedges' photos of factory workers

-

Photo of Hiut Denim factory from Hiut Denim