SHAWS LAUNCH ‘FLORIDA’ URINAL

Shaws launch ‘Florida’, a heavy duty fireclay urinal suitable for both commercial and luxury applications, following an abundance of interest from the architectural, specifier and building trades. Already commissioned for specific installations in some of the country’s most prestigious buildings, the Company has now decided to add the product to its commercial portfolio.

Manufactured in England in traditional fire clay with anti-bacterial glaze, to an exacting design, the Florida urinal is hand-crafted to look stylish with clean lines. With a choice of back inlet or top inlet flushing mechanism, the high quality fire clay is both tough and stain resistant.  Available in pure white the Shaws Florida urinal will blend in with any colour scheme or tiled washroom area.

David Dare, CEO of Shaws comments: “recognising that the quality of washrooms has become important in the interior design of restaurants, offices, hotels and other buildings, this new product, with its anti-bacterial qualities sets it apart from other washroom products and is a great addition to our existing slab urinal range”.

The Florida urinal is available from 1st April 2016 through our dealer partnerships and builders merchants.

SHAWS LAUNCH UTILITY RANGE

Shaws, who are well known for their superior ranges of fire clay sinks for both commercial and household usage, now launch a wide range of sinks specifically selected for their suitability and durability for use in laundry rooms, utility rooms and garages.

There are six heavyweight sinks available with a durable white glaze. The Shaws glaze has recently been independently tested, using the ISO 22196/JIS Z 2801:2000 test method to international standards, and all samples proved to be ‘antibacterial’.  Shaws glaze reduced bacterial colonies of E-Coli and MRSA by 99.99% over a 24 hour period and were classified as excellent in this area.

All of the Utility range sinks are scratch and impact resistant, impervious to acid, alkali and bleach unlike stainless steel.  Our glazes will never become dull over time, like enamel sinks, they will keep their durable sheen for a lifetime.  Our laboratory regularly checks clay and glazes to ensure the highest durability standards are upheld.

The range includes a Shaker 800 which is large, deep and extremely versatile and adds a touch of elegance to any laundry or utility room.  The Longridge is the perfect sink for either kitchen or utility room as it is a stylish combination sink and drainer product.

The Ribblesdale is a beautifully crafted sink and is the ideal choice for a practical sink with a traditional look.  The obvious choice for use in a laundry room is the practical and compact Belfast, a sink suitable for many styles of homes.


Shaws wall-mounted sinks are ideal if you’re looking for an easy to install or space saving sink.  It includes a stainless steel bucket grating with rubber pads - and lastly the Pendle.  This is a more contemporary version of the Belfast sink and fits in perfectly with a both modern and traditional looking application.  Its cleaner lines offer durability but is aesthetically more modern in appearance.

David Dare, CEO of Shaws comments:  With all of our sinks which are chip and impact resistant, we use only the best materials, responsibly sourced, lead free and 100% recyclable.  All of these things combine to give character and durability to our full portfolio of fire clay products.  Our utility sinks are now readily available and have been launched in response to customer demand for a specific range of sinks for utility and laundry rooms.”

The range is available through our distributor partners and builders merchants

SHAWS EXTEND THEIR CLASSIC COLLECTION

Shaws of Darwen have launched three new models, expanding their Classic Collection and Inset/Undermount offerings.  Each new hand-crafted sink carries the Shaws of Darwen logo, which is a guarantee of traditional quality in a modern product.  Sinks are manufactured with a 3½” waste outlet which is suitable for basket strainer or waste disposer.

Classic Collection
The Classic Collection is a wide range of sinks designed to appeal to more contemporary styles, yet true to the heritage of handcrafted fireclay.  The Classic Collection has stylish slim side walls for a contemporary appearance with no compromise to construction quality.

Classic Brindle
The Brindle 800 is a larger version of Shaws existing 1.5 bowl ceramic sink.  A very practical, stylish sink with a true half bowl of full depth.  This new model can be inset or undermounted with granite, wood or quartz worktops and extends our Inset/Undermount range to seven shaped models.

Classic Butler 900
The Classic Butler 900 is a large, deep Victorian style sink which can take large pots, pans and racks which are too large for the dishwasher.  The sink features a round overflow on the side wall and extends the Shaws Butler family to five models which includes the popular 600, 800 and 1000 sizes alongside the new Classic Whitehall.

Classic Whitehall 600
The new Classic Whitehall is a deep, generous sink which has been created specifically for customers who want a fireclay farmhouse sink with a laminate worktop.  The clever design gives a Classic Butler sink appearance from the front and protects the cut edges of the laminate from water by using a subtle lip on all exposed sides.  The Whitehall can be installing using standard Belfast sink base cabinets, therefore, no bespoke cabinetry is required, making for a lower cost installation.

All of the new sinks are handcrafted in white and biscuit finishes with a durable glaze designed for years of usage and all carry a comprehensive guarantee.

Visit www.shawsofdarwen.com to view the complete range.

SHAWS EXPAND CUSTOMER SERVICE & MERCHANT ROLES

Stephanie Fielding has joined Shaws, the well-known fireclay sink manufacturer as Customer Services Manager and Leon Harber has been promoted from within the company, taking on the important new role of Merchant Sales Manager.

In her new role, Stephanie’s remit will be to re-inforce the company’s mantra as ‘being easy to do business with’.  Strong customer service and reliability has become synonymous with the Shaws brand and as part of that, the Lancashire ceramics manufacturer has added to their existing team. 

Stephanie joins the company to champion our existing excellent customer service whilst Leon has been promoted to further develop a more direct relationship with our Commercial/Merchant customers.

David Dare, CEO of Shaws comments: “Stephanie brings a wealth of experience to improve our customer service, we pride ourselves on reliability and flexibility for all customers big and small.  Leon has been with the Company for many years and knows our product range technically across the board.  His new role supports the ongoing development of commercial ranges to architects, designers, specifiers and merchants across the UK.”

Shaws Of Darwen Joins Historic Institution

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded entry into The Guild of Master Crafstmen. It's a fantastic and historic institution that recognises unrivalled skills and service, it feels great that Shaws are in the company of Aston Martin, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and many other amazing British companies.

SHAWS SINKS TEST AS 99.99% ANTIBACTERIAL

Shaws sinks are not only for use in homes, but are commercially used in laboratories, hospitals, institutions, restaurants, hotels, schools, universities and many other applications. To ensure that they are safe for every environment and being a considerate company, testing of the various ingredients used to manufacture our range of unique sinks is routinely carried out.

 Our handcrafted fireclay sinks have recently been tested by SteriTouch, an independent laboratory, for an evaluation of antimicrobial performance. The testing was conducted using the ISO 22196/JIS Z 2801:2000 test method to international standards and all samples proved to be ‘antibacterial’. Shaws glaze reduced bacterial colonies of E-Coli and MRSA by 99.99% over a 24 hour period and were classified as EXCELLENT in this area. Safe to use in every environment.

 The Shaws glaze, is not new or a new glaze development, or a thin coating, as some other manufacturers use, which can be considered temporary, but is the original glaze we’ve always used and is the regular and permanent performance of our glaze. Other tests are regularly carried out include: Determination of Chemical Resistance (BS 3402: 1969) and Determination of Resistance to Staining and Burning (BS 3402: 1969). In these tests Shaws sinks proved to be completely stainless and resistant to aggressive alkalis, acids and bleach. A durable glaze which will last forever.

 Shaws are the world’s only producer of heavy duty fireclay, sourced from the West Country and the clay is at least 25% denser and stronger than fine fireclay. Our heavy duty fireclay is responsibly sourced, sustainable, lead-free and 100% recyclable.

 Our sinks are chip and impact resilient as a heavyweight Shaws Original has 2” thick solid walls giving extra durability. Each sink is twice glazed with up to four times the glaze thickness of other sinks and fired at over 1200ºC.

 Taking over three weeks to create, Shaws use more clay, more glaze, more heat and more care to craft character products, made by real people. Every Shaws sink is unique and designed to last a lifetime!

SHAWS OF DARWEN WIN HIGHLY COMMENDED INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARD

Shaws of Darwen, the renowned hand-crafted fireclay ceramic kitchen sink manufacturer based in Lancashire, won a Highly Commended International Award at the “North West Insider magazine International Trade Awards” ceremony, held in association with UK Trade and Investment.  Shaws was entered in the ‘International Company of the Year’ category with a turnover of up to £10m. 

When the Awards were first launched five years ago, there was a big push for companies to go global, to seek growth outside a slowing and stagnant UK market.  Since that time, Shaws have grown enormously and continue to celebrate their export success across the world, proving that British made quality products, are desirable worldwide.

This Awards event celebrates import, export and international business right across the North West of England.  Successful entrants were interviewed over a three day period by the team of judges and Rupert Cornford, features editor of Insider commented: “These Awards have gone from strength to strength and it’s great for local companies to be judged and rewarded for their successes”.

David Dare, CEO of Shaws was delighted with the Highly Commended Award and celebrated with some of his distributor partners, who were his guests for the evening.  “It’s always good to receive recognition for all the hard work put into running a successful company.  We are all very proud to be a British manufacturer with an international customer base”.

ARE YOU A PROUD OWNER OF A SHAWS OF DARWEN SINK?

Thank you to Mark & Mary Williams from New Zealand for sending us these pictures of their newly installed Belfast Sink in your fantastic kitchen.

One of their images will be used on our website www.shawsofdarwen.com and as a thank you, a free Accessory Pack is on its way to Mark & Mary.

If you are the proud owner of a Shaws of Darwen Kitchen Sink and want to receive a free Accessory Pack like Mark & Mary, please send a photograph of your kitchen to sales@shawsofdarwen.com and if the image is used on our website, we’ll send you an exclusive Accessory Pack straight away.

 

Belfast Sink Basket Strainer Proves a Storm

Since its introduction last year, our 1.5 Inch Basket Strainer Waste has proved to be very popular, outselling the conventional Slotted Waste (Plug & Chain) by 150%.

The majority of our Handcrafted Sinks require a 3 Inch Basket Strainer, but the Pendle and Belfast Sinks are fitted with a 1.5 inch accessory.

Previously, the only 1.5 Inch option was the Slotted Waste Plug & Chain and while this traditional look is still very popular for these kitchen sinks, the elegance of the Basket Strainer Waste has enhanced the accessory range to provide customers with more choice than ever before.

Our Basket Strainer Wastes are handmade in four colour options using the highest grade stainless steel and feature a ceramic indices with a bespoke Shaws insignia.

To find out more, please view our Accessory Range by clicking the link below.
http://www.shawsofdarwen.com/sink-accessories.cfm

ARE YOU A PROUD OWNER OF A SHAWS OF DARWEN SINK?

Thank you to Maggie Glover from Western Australia for sending us this picture of her fantastic kitchen and #Ribchester 800.

This image will be used on our website www.shawsofdarwen.com and as a thank you, a free accessory bundle is on its way to Maggie.

If you are a proud owner of a Shaws of Darwen sink and you would like us to display a picture of your kitchen on our website, then please send your photos to sales@shawsofdarwen.com

HOMEOWNER KITCHEN DESIGN INVESTMENT CONTINUES

Kitchens continue to solidify their place as the centre of the home with many homeowners choosing to invest while the housing recovery continues.

The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2014, which focused on kitchen and bath design trends.

Kitchen design is increasingly devoting more emphasis toward the space being a gathering spot for family and entertaining.

“The kitchen has become what we call the ‘activator,’ the main space in the residence, and the design requirements often include high functionality to accommodate multiple activities,” said James Walbridge, AIA, chair of the AIA’s Custom Residential Architects Network.

Material composition is also becoming an essential focal point of the entire design. Natural products are becoming a lot more desirable as consumers consider personal environmental responsibilities within their home.

According to the survey, popular kitchen features continue to include LED lighting, a computer or recharging area, larger pantry space, a double island and high quality appliances.

TRENDS TO COMPLIMENT YOUR KITCHEN IN 2015

Apart from your superb sink, the first thing visitors notice when entering your kitchen are your cabinets. To make sure you keep up with the latest trends and technologies, below are a few popular suggestions we can recommend for 2015.

Add a Splash of Colour

Not everything is black and white, although in kitchen terms this has been the case in recent years. Either strong accent colours or perhaps lighter cabinet shades will change kitchens up and down the country to be more vibrant than ever before.

Laminate Speaks Volumes

Manufactured surfaces like textured laminate, get better and better. The wood look and feel is extraordinary. If you’re looking for a chic cutting edge finish, laminate could well be the answer for your modern kitchen.

Think Outside The Box.  

Touch-and-motion cabinet technology is starting to drive behaviour in 2015 and beyond as we all look for the next new thing. With just the touch of a finger cabinets will simple open and close effortlessly, providing easy access when your hands are full – and of course ‘wow’ your friends.

Let There Be Light. 

LED lights are now available in all kinds of colours and can easy compliment your kitchen shades or accents with warm or cool toned colours. Lighting options both inside and outside your cabinets make it easier for you to work and find the items you need quickly.

The simplicity of modern design is proving ever more popular during 2015. The new tends for 2015 go hand in hand with our Classic Collection to create a stylish contemporary kitchen you’ll be proud of for years to come, while everyone else catches up.

EXTRA PEACE AT CHRISTMAS

There are few things more annoying than a house guest that doesn’t quite look after your belongings as vigilantly as you do.

During the Christmas Feast, as your favourite nephew drops a large saucepan in your Shaws of Darwen sink, you can be confident that the sink should stand up to the abuse, but might want to take reassurance by protecting your sink with a Shaws of Darwen handcrafted Sink Grid.

Each Sink Grid size has been manufactured by hand, using the world's finest quality stainless steel, to match the size of your Shaws sink for durable yet elegant protection.

Make sure you enjoy Christmas without the extra worry, by clicking on the link below and placing your order before 5pm Wednesday 17th December for delivery before Christmas.

HandcraftedSink Grid

 

WEBSITE ON THE MOVE WITH SHAWS OF DARWEN

Shaws of Darwen have been in existence since 1897 and are very proud of their heritage, but they never sit back on their laurels and are always looking to modernise wherever possible and their website is no exception.

How many times have you struggled to view a website easily on your Smartphone or Tablet to hand?  Now Shaws of Darwen has made the online experience much more accessible with an exciting mobile friendly version of their website which automatically changes to suit any screen size. Images and copy can be clearly seen across the screen with indicators to all sections housed within the site.

This new mobile friendly website, with all its facets can be used in any location and on any device.  The new facility has been designed for the convenience of all of our customers, trade and consumers and will enable the browser access to the entire portfolio of Shaws kitchen sinks, photographic illustrations, accessories and graphic technical support.

David Dare, Managing Director of Shaws comments: “I know how important it is to be able to access information quickly and efficiently, which is why we have designed our website to provide this facility. I wanted to provide users easy access whilst on the move, plus having invaluable customer support at your fingertips at all times is key to success”.  Almost half our website visitors come from mobile devices and this has doubled in the last two years”, concludes Dare.

The new Shaws mobile interactive web pages are live now and allow the user to source every page of the site whilst on the move on their Smart devices.