A New Era for Shaws of Darwen

Shaws of Darwen, the Lancashire based fireclay ceramics manufacturer has restructured its management team to work with newly appointed General Manager, David Dare.

‘Taking over the restructuring of an established company like Shaws has been a real challenge,’ comments David, a qualified engineer. ‘Not wishing to re-invent the wheel, there was a overall review of the business model and procedures that needed to happen, which is now complete.

‘Starting with further mechanisation of the plant and introducing a re-styling of the production lines and addition of new kilns, has all added to the efficiency of the plant. Using the same skilled workforce, many of whom have been at Shaws man and boy, the quality control standards remain our highest priority with a policy of 'only perfect product being released from the factory'.

A further area that required reorganisation was customer sales and service. In taking on the task of re-structuring, David further comments, ‘I had to review all accounts and sales routes in order to rationalise the business. With effect from 2008 we have developed our trading terms in order that the company is treating every customer evenly and fairly. Balancing production output with export and home trade customers has resulted in our product availability improving significantly - lead times have halved and continue to improve.’

In taking Shaws forward, the plan for 2008 and onwards includes the introduction of new products, the first being at the recent KBB. However, Shaws never forgets that the company’s sinks have been installed in most of the grand houses of the UK, both upstairs and downstairs. It is to be remembered that as much care is taken with the Ribchester being fitted into the designer kitchen as the Belfast sink in the utility room, which may only ever be visited by the mop and bucket.

Tel: 01254 775111
Web: http://www.shawsofdarwen.com