10 Scottish manufacturers for Architects

Architectural projects so often begin with high expectations; specifying high quality, local materials, only to be gradually diluted as budgets shrink resulting in the use of lower-cost imports. This is a disheartening process for the architect and the end-users alike, particularly when there are so many fantastic factories and material suppliers in Scotland producing everything from locally quarried stone to sustainable wood and traditionally-cast metal.

Here is a list of 10 of Scottish manufacturers and material suppliers that we have listed on Make Works that we think all Scottish architects should know about.

1. Highland Colour Coaters

Highland Colour Coaters are specialists in hot dip galvanising and powder coating for steel and aluminium. They have manufacturing plants in Elgin and Cumbernauld, employing over 100 people. They are able to galvanise pieces up to 15m long, and dip-coat pieces up to 7m long. As you can imagine, most of their work is done for structural steel fabricators but they also regularly work directly with architects.

Find out about Highland Colour Coaters here

2. Jet Cut

Jet Cut provide bespoke water jet profile cutting – this means that they can cut through almost any material (metal, steel, aluminium, titanium, brass, copper, glass etc...) from 1-150mm thick. To find out more about how Water Jet Cutting works have a read of the Make Works guide to Water Jet Cutting. 

Find out about JetCut here

3. Edinburgh Cast Metals

Edinburgh Cast Metals are a foundry specialising in cast iron work. Using the traditional process of Green Sand Moulding, they're able to produce bespoke pieces as well as small batches. They regularly work with architects and typically cast pieces like gates, railings and fireplaces.

Find out about Edinburgh Cast Metals here

Read out more metal casting in our article: Metal casting foundries in Scotland.

4. Fyfe Glenrock

Based in Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire, Fyfe Glenrock are a stonemasons producing amongst other things, architectural stonework. There is "no job too small" and a skilled team of stonemasons are on site taking projects from sketch to technical drawings, construction and detailed finishing.

Find out about Fyfe Glenrock here

5. Ravensby Glass

Ravensby Glass are specialise in manufacturing insulated sealed units, glass tempering and glass painting. They work with mirror glass, laminated glass, float glass, coated glass and fire resistant glass. Their new factory at Tom Johnston Road in Dundee was developed with the primary aim of processing high specification coated glass products specifically designed for commercial and high end residential projects.

Find out about Ravensby Glass here

6. Mike Stone Lighting

Mike Stoane Lighting is a fabricator of architectural light fittings based in Loanhead, near Edinburgh. They are able to work with one-off bespoke pieces through to large production runs and typically work with lighting designers and architects. 

Find out about Mike Stoane Lighting here

7. Real Wood Studios

Real Wood Studios operates as a hub facility for creative designer-makers including many highly skilled furniture makers and other timber related businesses. Most importantly for architects however, is that they sell high quality, locally sourced wood which is processed by their own sawmill onsite. They also sell flooring, cladding and mantels, examples of which can be seen at their showroom in Jedburgh. 

Find out about Real Wood Studios here

8. Universal Fibre Optics

Universal Fibre Optics manufacture custom lighting systems, including fibre optics & LED display lighting. Universal Fibre Optics regularly work with architects – working on projects including hotels and casinos, bars and restaurants, TV and Film Production and the automotive industry.

Find out about Universal Fibre Optics here

9. Sculpture & Design Ltd.

Sculpture & Design are a group of art school trained fabricators working in art fabrication. Alongside artists, sculptors and designers they've worked with architects to produce one off, bespoke pieces like gates, wall panels or fireplaces. They work with a range of materials and call upon a large network of fabricators for any machines and processes that they don't have in house.

Find out about Sculpture & Design Ltd here

10.  Scottish Wood

Scottish Wood are another Scottish hardwood sawmill where you can buy locally and sustainably sourced wood which has been processed on site. You can find rough prices per cubic foot on their website to give you an idea of their range and costs. They also have a showroom on site offering cut-offs and samples.

Find out about Scottish Wood here

If you've enjoyed reading this you might like to read our Guide to Model Making or 10 Scottish manufacturers for interior designers