Factory finding: Highlights from 2015

Manufacturers in Scotland have been opening their doors to the Make Works team for almost three years. These workshops and factories are so often hidden away, their productive worlds so often going unawknowledged. Yet, we very rarely leave a factory filming without feeling inspired.

In 2015, we focussed on manufacturing in Edinburgh and Glasgow, though made sure to get out of the central belt every few months going on 'mini'- tours that took us to the likes of Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Fife, Tain and The Scottish Borders. We've had the opportunity to meet printers to woodworkers, we've visited sculpture workshops and maker spaces to plastic yarn mills, stonemasons, laser cutters and foundries to name but a few! To round up the year, here are some of our factory finding highlights from 2015. 

10KH Upholstery, Glasgow

We first met 10KH Upholstery back in January at our first Maker Speed Dater event. A wave of chatter about piping, cane weaving and shellac cascading across the room - if there are two people whose joy in what they do reaches you before you've even spoken to them, it is Silvia and Rose. 

Working from their workshop in Dennistoun, Glasgow, the pair work on upholstery and re-upholstery projects with an emphasis on using high-end local textiles. They're all about bringing new life to old pieces, specialising in uplifting neglected, tired or unloved chairs. For textile designers specifically, they are useful to know if you would like to showcase how your work might look on furniture pieces. 

Find out more about 10kH Upholstery

Industrial Springs, Ibrox

Watching molten springs emerging from a CNC coiler is nothing short of mesmerising. At family run firm, Industrial Springs, the team use metal forming wire to make springs and alternative wire forms. 

We're always really excited when we find a factory with a huge range in their production capacity, and a willingness to work with almost anyone provided they require a spring. Industrial Springs will work from one-offs to fix your garage door, through to large runs of thousands for engineering projects. 

Find out more about Industrial Springs

Westend Cabinetmakers, Glasgow

Willie Love is one of those craftsmen who we stumble across almost by accident. He has been quietly producing incredible work for years and relying on word of mouth for new business. He doesn't even have a website.

His company, Westend Cabinetmakers are hidden down a little alley in Glasgow's Maryhill. Here you will find woodworker and cabinet maker Willie Love, making bespoke pieces for architects, designers, artists and private clients. 

"If you can dream it, I can make it." Be sure to check out our film about Willie and his work if you haven't already.

 Find out more about Westend Cabinetmakers

Smyth Composites, Arbroath

When we first started talking to Paul at Smyth Composites, we really weren't even sure what they did – and it's so often these intruguing factories that end up holding the most potential. Smyth Composites produce sheets of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). This is normally the material that you'll see used for swimming pools, outdoor play areas, railway stations, and anywhere that durable signage is required.

The process, hand-layering resin and fibreglass, creates plastic up to 5m in length. The pieces can be made to specific colours, patterns and with supplied graphics, so we weren't surpised when they told us that they are happy to work with architects, designers and on public art pieces.

In October, Make Works and Hospitalfield in Arbroath introduced a new residency programme which immerses artists and makers with Scottish manufacturers. One of our two first residents were Bespoke Atelier, a design studio based in Glasgow who took up residence in Smyth Composites. You can read more about our residency programme here.

Find out more about Smyth Composites

Woven In The Bone, Moray

We visited Sam Goates in Moray as part of our tour of Northern Scotland back in February. Sam runs a weaving studio supplying bespoke woollen cloth to tailors, designers and small businesses. She's been a supportive Make Works follower since the Make Works Tour, and it was fantastic to finally meet her properly! 

With over 25 years experience in the textiles industry, Sam has extensive knowledge of wool and weave. She's also worked on developing apprenticeships for the Scottish Textile Industry something incredibly important for the future of the Scottish manufacturing industry.

Find out more about Woven in the Bone

J Hewit & Sons, Livingston

Finding manufacturers who make members of the public feel at home is a rarity. J Hewit & Sons are a tannery, manufacturing leather specifically for use in bookbinding who have this unique quality and are a delight to visit. 

It's a 7th generation family business which started out life as a shoemakers shop in Edinburgh. Over the years the tannery has evolved the offering, and it now operates from a much larger premise on an industrial estate in Livingston. They also supply bookbinding materials and tools for master bookbinders, as well as those just trying out the trade.

Find out more about J Hewit and Sons

Glass Storm, Tain

Having just celebrated their 10th studio anniversary, Brodie Nairn and Nicola Burns are a force in Scottish glass making. Their commitment to detail and high-quality work is evident throughout the studio from their custom made tools to the raw materials sourced. 

The studio, based in Tain, specialise in bespoke, one-off glass works. They frequently work on trophies and awards, to film props, vessels for the drinks industry and public art pieces or architectural work. 

Find out more about Glass Stom 

Real Wood Studios

When we first journeyed through the woods, on approach to Real Wood Studios, we  we expecting to find a sawmill, supplying local hardwoods to woodworkers and joiners. On arrival, we quickly realised that it is also a woodworking hub facility, providing workspace for designer-makers and taking commissions, in addition to supplying Scottish wood.

Like many of the Scottish hardwood sawmills, Real Wood operate as a social enterprise. Speaking with Graeme and his team, it is clear they are passionate about wood, supplying sustainably sourced, quality Scottish Hardwood "from tree to table". 

Find out more about Real Wood Studios

Kingscroft Logistics, Irvine

Despite high demand, there are very few packaging manufacturers producing larger runs of high-end boxes in Scotland. With that in mind, when we discovered Kingscroft Logisitcs in Irvine, we were nothing short of delighted. 

Kingscroft Logistics, a family run packaging company manufacture rigid boxes by hand. Their clients include the likes of Boots and Grey Goose; as well as many small Scottish businesses. When we visited Kingscroft we were particularly impressed with the company's welcoming attitude. Again, able to work on one-offs through to 1000's of boxes at a time. Plus, they have a very satisfying glueing machine to watch. 

Find out more about Kingscroft Logistics

If you are interested in being visited by Make Works in 2016, you can find out how to list your factory here.

If you've enjoyed reading this you should check out our piece: Ten Fabricators you should know about it Scotland