A history of Twyfords - the sanitaryware manufacturing company from Stoke-on-Trent established 1680
Twyfords Sanitaryware - a long and remarkable history
In 1849 Thomas Twyford established his factory in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, manufacturing sanitary pottery and metal fittings.
During the 20th Century the Twyford brand became a household name in British public life. And, through organic and well-managed expansion, it became a major force in sanitaryware production in three more of the world's continents. The company blossomed in South Africa, India and Australia, bringing bathrooms, the principles of hygiene, and much needed employment to their peoples.
Today, Twyfords is a shadow of its former self. It is now part of the Geberit Group, headquartered in Switzerland.
This blog was created to record and recognise the great achievements of the company during its long and remarkable history.
As true today as it was in 1924
From a lecture on 'Sanitary Pottery' given to The Builders Merchants Alliance in October 1924 by Walter G Walker of Twyfords.
" Years ago, when one wanted to install a bathroom deluxe, it was considered to be the thing to have the lavatory and WC basin, etc. decorated either with blue and gold bands or with flowered designs, often hand-painted in various colours. Sometimes the ware itself was formed with a decorative pattern in relief. Today the demand is for all white pottery sanitary fixtures, any feeling of coldness in the bathroom being avoided by having the walls either tiled or otherwise tinted in warm colours.
" This demand for all-white bathroom suites is rapidly spreading to include the accessories and fittings as well as the fixtures, the underlying motive being bathrooms that can kept spotlessly clean with an absolute minimum of labour.
" Accessories such as mirror frames, shelves, towel rails, sponge holders and the like, can already be obtained in white pottery, but it is obvious that fittings such as taps and other working parts cannot be satisfactorily made wholly of pottery. Fittings of this kind are obtainable in brass with a white finish. By the use of these pottery-clad fittings the entire lavatory - or other fixture - can be kept perfectly clean merely wiping the whole outfit over with a damp cloth or sponge. "
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" Years ago, when one wanted to install a bathroom deluxe, it was considered to be the thing to have the lavatory and WC basin, etc. decorated either with blue and gold bands or with flowered designs, often hand-painted in various colours. Sometimes the ware itself was formed with a decorative pattern in relief. Today the demand is for all white pottery sanitary fixtures, any feeling of coldness in the bathroom being avoided by having the walls either tiled or otherwise tinted in warm colours.
" This demand for all-white bathroom suites is rapidly spreading to include the accessories and fittings as well as the fixtures, the underlying motive being bathrooms that can kept spotlessly clean with an absolute minimum of labour.
" Accessories such as mirror frames, shelves, towel rails, sponge holders and the like, can already be obtained in white pottery, but it is obvious that fittings such as taps and other working parts cannot be satisfactorily made wholly of pottery. Fittings of this kind are obtainable in brass with a white finish. By the use of these pottery-clad fittings the entire lavatory - or other fixture - can be kept perfectly clean merely wiping the whole outfit over with a damp cloth or sponge. "
more here>
Twyfords Vitreous China Production 1967
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| Drawings and photos were created by Munroe Blair |
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| Photos courtesy : Donald Parry |
Twyfords Fireclay Products 1968
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| Twyfords Fireclay 1968 Masoning a Cleaners Sink, Mortuary Slab and Adamant Urinals photo courtesy: Donald Parry |
The building of ALSAGER WORKS 1956
"The land was levelled, the roadways cut and the storm water and sewerage systems dug. This was all done by August 1956."
The second kiln, Number Eight, was firing just four months later, and at the end of June ‘58, the factory came into large scale production.
On 23 August 1957 the 'Alsager Times' reported : Good progress had been made with the new Vitreous China factory at Alsager. "We notice that Twyfords' new factory at Alsager is rapidly taking shape and that roofs are now on some of the buildings. It certainly looks a very handsome factory and far from detracting from the appearance of the district, we might say that it provides quite a smart new approach to the village from the North Staffordshire end."
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| Article in the Evening Sentinel Many thanks go to Selwyn Rowley for sending me this piece of history. |
By November, the building contractors, G. Percy Trentham were able to set to on the factory proper, beginning with the sliphouse. The stack for the first kiln, Number Seven, was completed in June 1957, and the first of the buildings and making shops made ready. The sliphouse was operational by February 1958, and in that same month the kiln was lit.
The second kiln, Number Eight, was firing just four months later, and at the end of June ‘58, the factory came into large scale production.
On 23 August 1957 the 'Alsager Times' reported : Good progress had been made with the new Vitreous China factory at Alsager. "We notice that Twyfords' new factory at Alsager is rapidly taking shape and that roofs are now on some of the buildings. It certainly looks a very handsome factory and far from detracting from the appearance of the district, we might say that it provides quite a smart new approach to the village from the North Staffordshire end."
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| Twyfords Alsager Factory - 1957 |