Since stepping into a role leading product development, one of the first things I wanted to do was properly understand what can still be made in the UK today.
Not as a talking point, and not because it sounds good on paper, but because making things closer to home changes the way you work. Conversations are easier. Problems get solved faster. And you tend to build better relationships when youβre not separated by thousands of miles.
So for this collection, our starting point was simple: if something can be made in Britain, thatβs where we look first.
What Weβve Seen on the Ground
Spending time visiting factories has been eye-opening in the best way. There are some genuinely excellent manufacturers still operating here, many of whom are quietly getting on with the job of proving that British manufacturing hasnβt disappeared, itβs just changed.
Whatβs stood out most is how invested these businesses are. Thereβs a real willingness to engage, to problem solve, and to help shape products rather than just produce them. Thatβs made a big difference at the design stage, where having that back and forth can elevate a product quickly.
As a result, weβve got several pieces in development right now that are being designed, sampled, and manufactured entirely in the UK. These arenβt legacy styles carried over for the sake of it; theyβre new products, built from the ground up with British factories involved from the start.
The Reality of Whatβs Changed
That said, it hasnβt all been straightforward.
There are clear gaps in the market now. In categories where you might once have had multiple factories to choose from, options are limited, and in some cases no longer exist at all. Thatβs not down to a lack of skill, but the reality of rising costs, shrinking production volumes, and years of work moving offshore.
In a few areas, the infrastructure just isnβt there anymore at a scale or price point that makes sense for us. In those cases, weβve had to look elsewhere, working with manufacturers in Portugal, Italy, and Japan, each bringing their own strengths and specialisms.
Still Looking Here First
Even when we do look overseas, the mindset doesnβt change. For every new product, the first question we ask is whether it can be made in the UK, properly and responsibly. Only when the answer is genuinely no do we start exploring other options. Producing closer to home makes collaboration easier, shortens development timelines, and creates a clearer sense of accountability on both sides.
Where Weβre Headed
UK manufacturing today is smaller and more specialised than it once was, but where it exists, itβs often incredibly strong. The factories that remain tend to be adaptable, highly skilled, and deeply committed to what they do.Β
Supporting British manufacturing doesnβt mean forcing it to be something itβs not. It means recognising where it works well, understanding where it doesnβt, and choosing to work with it wherever possible.
At Shawβs, thatβs the approach weβll continue to take. Start in the UK. Build relationships properly. And only look further afield when we truly have to.
The State of UK Manufacturing Today
Since stepping into a role leading product development, one of the first things I wanted to do was properly understand what can still be made in the UK today.
Not as a talking point, and not because it sounds good on paper, but because making things closer to home changes the way you work. Conversations are easier. Problems get solved faster. And you tend to build better relationships when youβre not separated by thousands of miles.
So for this collection, our starting point was simple: if something can be made in Britain, thatβs where we look first.
What Weβve Seen on the Ground
Spending time visiting factories has been eye-opening in the best way. There are some genuinely excellent manufacturers still operating here, many of whom are quietly getting on with the job of proving that British manufacturing hasnβt disappeared, itβs just changed.
Whatβs stood out most is how invested these businesses are. Thereβs a real willingness to engage, to problem solve, and to help shape products rather than just produce them. Thatβs made a big difference at the design stage, where having that back and forth can elevate a product quickly.
As a result, weβve got several pieces in development right now that are being designed, sampled, and manufactured entirely in the UK. These arenβt legacy styles carried over for the sake of it; theyβre new products, built from the ground up with British factories involved from the start.
The Reality of Whatβs Changed
That said, it hasnβt all been straightforward.
There are clear gaps in the market now. In categories where you might once have had multiple factories to choose from, options are limited, and in some cases no longer exist at all. Thatβs not down to a lack of skill, but the reality of rising costs, shrinking production volumes, and years of work moving offshore.
In a few areas, the infrastructure just isnβt there anymore at a scale or price point that makes sense for us. In those cases, weβve had to look elsewhere, working with manufacturers in Portugal, Italy, and Japan, each bringing their own strengths and specialisms.
Still Looking Here First
Even when we do look overseas, the mindset doesnβt change. For every new product, the first question we ask is whether it can be made in the UK, properly and responsibly. Only when the answer is genuinely no do we start exploring other options. Producing closer to home makes collaboration easier, shortens development timelines, and creates a clearer sense of accountability on both sides.
Where Weβre Headed
UK manufacturing today is smaller and more specialised than it once was, but where it exists, itβs often incredibly strong. The factories that remain tend to be adaptable, highly skilled, and deeply committed to what they do.Β
Supporting British manufacturing doesnβt mean forcing it to be something itβs not. It means recognising where it works well, understanding where it doesnβt, and choosing to work with it wherever possible.
At Shawβs, thatβs the approach weβll continue to take. Start in the UK. Build relationships properly. And only look further afield when we truly have to.