Fortune Brands Innovations’ state-of-the-art manufacturing Centre of Excellence in South Staffordshire, completed last year, will now become the new home for Shaws. The site is the first major new ceramics factory in Britain for over 50 years, and represents a huge investment in manufacturing in the region. The new production line will increase the number of fireclay sinks Shaws can make annually, capitalising on strong demand in the UK, United States, Australia and other key international markets. The business has proposed that, after a 6-month run-in period, production will fully transfer from Darwen later in 2025.
Shaws has been making fireclay sinks in Darwen, Lancashire, since Arthur Shaw established the company in 1897. It remains the oldest manufacturer of Butler and Belfast sinks still operating. Shaws sinks are famous for their durability, deep glazed finish and blue diamond logo. Each one is hand-finished, with the maker’s name stamped underneath.
Fortune Brands says that the Darwen site, now over a century old, is no longer fit for purpose, and cannot provide the base for future growth. In additiona, there are many opportunities for Darwen employees at the new site and Fortune Brands will offer ongoing support to those who are able to relocate and those who choose not to.
The new 270,000sq ft tech-enhanced facility is located at the i54 Business Park, on the South Staffordshire border with Wolverhampton. As well as providing production capacity for future growth, the site is a built-for-purpose EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters for Fortune Brands’ Innovations portfolio. It includes a Customer Experience Centre and Training Facility, staff canteen and on-site gym.
Jim Platt, VP Water Innovations – EMEAA, commented: “Our investment at i54 reflects our commitment to the luxury ceramics sector and to UK production. We’re very proud of this brilliant new facility which will allow us to better service our customers and facilitate future growth. We’re sad to close the old Shaws site, which has been such a big part of the history of this famous brand, but we’re hoping as many of team as possible from Darwen will be able to join us at i54.”
