Silvine paper products

Silvine are makers of a broad range of over 300 paper products from classic old school exercise books to 100% recycled notebooks and paper.

Their trademark was first registered in 1901 and many of the original products are still produced today in an updated form.

All products are manufactured at their factory in Otley, West Yorkshire. 

http://www.silvine.com/index.php

Letts Filofax Group Ltd - Diaries

LETTS, the venerable diary maker, is the latest company to shift production back to Britain as rising costs in the Far East and improved technology back home have made manufacturing in this country attractive once again.

Letts have invested in machinery and fulfillment systems that allows them to offer a more personalised option. We now implement global contracts, which include a web-based order system, offering bespoke products, and added product personalisation which are then fulfilled to all regions of the world. Over 300 staff are employed by Letts at a 250,000 sq ft factory which incorporates customer service, print, bindery, and fulfillment on one site. The company has always maintained some manufacturing in Scotland, but certain products were made in Asia for cost and capability reasons.

Now Letts has invested £230,000 in new printing technology which will allow it to produce more of its diaries and personal organisers at its 250,000sq ft factory in Dalkeith.

Sales and marketing director Charles Letts said the three machines would allow the company to make better use of its 350-strong Scottish workforce and stabilise employment at the plant.

He said the firm had always preferred to manufacture in Britain but customer demand for more complex diary designs forced it to branch out to the Far East, where they could be produced more cost-effectively.

But this has “inevitably brought issues in terms of producing finished products on time alongside the increasing cost from Far East suppliers”, he said.

Letts said production costs in Asia had been rising as wages in China were climbing fast. A booming internal market also meant Chinese manufacturers were less interested in exporting.

The firm had been making about one-third of its products overseas, but that will now be cut significantly as the latest technology increases productivity and makes it cost effective to make those products in Britain.

Letts said manufacturing at one site in the UK gave the company closer control of its production, which was something valued by clients, especially in the retail market where short lead times are key. The firm, which started life as a stationer in 1796 and created the first commercial diary in 1812, also produces branded products for the corporate market.

http://www.lettsoflondon.co.uk/

James Cropper Speciality Papers since 1845

James Cropper Speciality Paper is the UK’s only truly bespoke speciality paper manufacturer of any scale and one of the world's foremost makers of coloured paper.


James Cropper Speciality Papers has been making some of the world’s finest papers and boards since 1845. Located in the English Lake District, we’re an independent business which has been defining the art of quality papermaking for six generations.


http://www.jamescropper.com/index.htm

Diamine Luxury no clog Inks - since 1864 - For fine writing instruments

Ink Manufacturer's since 1864 Diamine Inks relocated to this purpose built 'state of the art' factory in Liverpool in 1925, where they successfully carried on using the traditional methods and formulas for ink production. Over the years the company was taken over many times and relocated yet again, but throughout the DIAMINE TRADE MARK and production methods survived symbolising the finest quality in Fountain Pen Inks, Calligraphy Ink, Drawing Ink and Writing Inks. Cartridges were recently added to our range, supplied in boxes of 18 with a range of 10 colours.

Diamine Inks are experiencing a very exciting revival and are proud to continue their ink making tradition only changing the original formulas were necessary to comply with current legislation. Due to the very fine quality Diamine fountain pen inks are suitable for all brands of pen and do not clog. The new large attractive 80ml glass Bottles of traditional fine quality ink supplied in 26 vivid colours, makes for extremely good value making each bottle a pleasue to own and all very collectable. Our latest addition to our colour range is Monaco Red which was specially formulated for His Serene highness Prince Rainer III of Monaco and the Grimaldi family in conjuction with a presentation of a limited edition fountain pen. Good enough for royalty, good enough for you!

http://www.diamineinks.co.uk/

Sigma Fountain Pens

Sigma of England produce luxury handmade fountain pens, rollerballs and ballpens all made in the UK.

The Sigma Style fountain pen is painstakingly handcrafted from Italian resins and we offer a superb selection of handcrafted, custom made and ergonomic pens and rollers in the Sentinel, Bolivia, Havannah and other luxury ranges.

Buy your fountain pen direct and get a personal service; we are pleased to take phone orders and our experts will happily discuss any aspect of the pens to ensure 100% satisfaction.

Fountain pens and matching rollers are handcrafted, polished and assembled in the UK

http://www.sigmapens.co.uk/

D. Leonardt & Co - manufacturer of steel pen nibs and forming and finishing of metal pressings

D. Leonardt & Co was established in 1856 as a manufacturer of steel pen nibs, which we still produce, and from the early days we have developed skills in the forming and finishing of metal pressings.

Over the past twenty-five years, D.Leonardt & Co. has become the world leader in the supply of metal corners to the Diary Industry. At the same time it has continued to develop its own range of accessories for the Stationery and Leather Goods Trades. We now supply our own range of products to over 50 countries worldwide. We also produce general pressings to customer requirements.

Sub-Contract metal finishing, plating and polishing has become a speciality for which we have an increasing demand. We have
particular expertise in high quality cosmetic finishes and are proud
to have a number of high profile companies as our customers.

http://www.leonardt.com/index.htm

Winsor & Newton manufacturers' of the finest artists' materials

Winsor & Newton has always been core to the world of art materials. We proudly maintain our pledge of manufacturing “The World’s Finest Artist’ Materials” . 
This is as true now as it was when our company was founded in 1832, and we take our relationship with the artist very seriously.

   
In 1898 Winsor & Newton built a new factory in Harrow, this is where we are located today  

We have built our reputation on the quality and reliability of our products, combined with continual product development, improvement and innovation. However, while keeping true to the principles laid down by William Winsor and Henry newton in the 1800’s we actively embrace new ideas, new technologies and search the world for the best raw materials available.

http://www.winsornewton.com/index.aspx

J Hewit & Sons Ltd - Leather and Bookbinders

The company of J Hewit & Sons Ltd. is a family run business now in at least its seventh generation. The business can be traced back using street directories to 1806 (when Hugh Hewit was running a shoemakers shop in Edinburgh), however we believe that that the business began trading at least ten years earlier.

http://www.hewit.com/

Conway Stewart Manufacturing (UK) Limited

Since 1905 Conway Stewart has been renowned over the world for creating luxury pens.

Each Conway Stewart is made in England at our workshop by hand, using traditional techniques, combining timeless designs with British craftsmanship and only the highest quality materials, including hallmarked solid 18ct gold and sterling silver.

Conway Stewart pens have graced the finest hands. Distinguished users include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, US Presidents, British Prime Ministers and many Heads of State.

http://www.conwaystewart.com/

Butler Tanner & Dennis (Book Printers)

Please take a look at 165 years of key milestones and events below, from Queen Victoria’s reign, through two world wars to the present. A series of “firsts”, coupled with technological innovation and great books, lay the foundations for the company you see today. This is why Butler Tanner & Dennis is still the UK’s leading book and publications printer and intends to carry on that fine tradition for many years to come.

http://www.butlertanneranddennis.com/

The Cumberland Pencil Company (Derwent Pencils)

We've been making pencils in Cumbria since 1832, and we think we've perfected the art.

Derwent has a long and distinguished history, and we're naturally very proud of it. At the same time, however, we have a reputation for innovative products that excite and inspire artists worldwide.

Derwent has a long and distinguished heritage, stretching back to the discovery of graphite in the Borrowdale area in the early 1500s. Our pencils have been made in Cumbria since 1832 and generations of local craftsmen have used their unique skills to perfect the art of pencil making.

We are very proud of our heritage because it has made us who we are today. The expertise we have gained over so many years has enabled us to develop the finest range of art materials in the world and we're even more proud of that.

Our past is very important to us and has helped make us the world leading company we are today. However, our future looks brighter still as we develop more exciting new products and improved manufacturing techniques. Our vision is to continue to innovate in everything we do while at the same time respecting our heritage.

As ever, it is our staff who will take us forward in our vision. Derwent may be an internationally renowned art materials manufacturer, but we are also a major local employer. We take equal pride in both roles.

http://www.pencils.co.uk/