SHAWS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

Shaws of Darwen have been manufacturing fireclay sinks and terracotta architectural pieces for over 117 years, using time honoured traditional methods and materials. Each sink and terracotta piece crafted today is an individual product, bearing testament to the craftsmen who produce them.

Whilst modern technology has improved manufacturing models over the years, the principles of this hand-crafted product remains the same. Each sink is proudly stamped with the impression of its maker and bears its own distinctive badge. Traditional craftsmanship is as important now as it was in 1897.

Each year Shaws take on a number of young apprentices to join their graduation course to learn the time-honoured skills of hand-crafting their fireclay sinks for both the UK and export markets and commissioned terracotta pieces for buildings around the world.

David Dare, Managing Director of Shaws comments: “Our apprentices and trainees learn our skills slowly and it takes a very long time to become a fully capable finisher, sprayer or modeller. Our craftsmen work together to ensure precious skills are transferred to younger work members to carry on the tradition.”

“A typical 3-year apprenticeship is simply not long enough in a factory likes ours, which moves so slowly. In the past, all of the original craftsmen and apprentices who worked for Shaws were local people who lived within walking distance of the factory, which was built long before the road to it. This part of England – Darwen in Lancashire – is famous for its hard working, skilled artisans and their contribution to the industrial revolution. Skills were passed down through generations, just as they are today.”

Two of the new apprentices have parents who already work at the company and want to learn the trade and be part of Shaws who are one of the major employers in the area.

David Dare continued: “Adapting to the ever increasing styles of homes and styles over the centuries, we are very proud to have supplied the construction industry for well over a hundred years and today our commitment to providing the very best quality of product and services, remains as strong as ever.”

SHAWS OF DARWEN BOWLAND

Superb craftsmanship and inspired design are combined by Shaws of Darwen to create and produce our Original Collection of traditional and elegant fireclay ceramic sinks. Made in England, this Collection contains an array of original designs and details which are unique in fireclay ceramics.

Designed to look and feel cool to the touch and beautiful to look at, the Bowland 800 features a distinctive fluted front and is an ideal sink for spacious kitchens but if space is an issue, then the smaller Bowland 600 is for you. The traditionally styled ceramic Bowland is available in white and biscuit finishes, features include a 3-hole overflow and 3½” waste outlet suitable for basket strainer or waste disposer.

Having refined fireclay production over more than 114 years to an ‘art form’, each Shaws of Darwen sink is individually handcrafted, making them ‘simply the best in the world’. A true test of quality is to examine the finished product, admire the finish and feel the weight – no lightweight imitations from Shaws – just traditional quality with world-class manufacturing standards.

SHAWS QUALITY BRITISH PRODUCTS

Having refined fireclay production over more than 117 years to an ‘art form’, each Shaws sink is individually hand-made, making them ‘simply the best in the world’. A true test of quality is to examine the finished product, admire the finish and feel the weight – no lightweight imitations from Shaws – just traditional quality built with ‘world-class’ manufacturing standards.

The combination of handcrafted skills and modern production techniques enable Shaws to deliver a high end product at the right price. There are many Shaws sinks which have, and continue to be installed, into some of the finest houses in the land. No self-respecting stately home is without its Shaws sinks, upstairs and downstairs!

Edgworth: Place Names and Shaws of Darwen Sinks

Once again, we look at one of the area’s villages that gives its name to one of our Original Collection Heavy Duty Fireclay Sinks.

Edgworth
Edgworth is a small village near Darwen within the Blackburn borough of Lancashire and is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘Village in the Hills’.

Edgworth’s most famous son was Sir Thomas Barlow who went on to become physician not only to Queen Victoria but also King Edward VII & King George 5th. The Barlow Memorial Institute was the family's gift to the people of Edgworth and continues to see increased usage.