Darwen-based manufacturer Shaws of Darwen is celebrating 120 years of handcrafting luxury, fireclay sinks in the Lancashire countryside.

Employing 95 local people, including three father-son teams, Shaws of Darwen has been designing, crafting and distributing high quality, fireclay sinks in the same Waterside factory since 1897.

David Dare, Shaws of Darwen CEO, commented: “This year is a significant milestone for Shaws of Darwen, as we’re not only celebrating our 120th birthday but also marking the beginning of a new chapter in our story. We are deeply proud of our history and our people, some of whom have been with us for over 30 years.”

Kevin Guy is a Master Craftsman at the Darwen factory, responsible for getting the sinks ready to be glazed using his hands and tools to ensure each one is perfect, but has worked in nearly every role at Shaws over the past 30 years. His family has a very special connection with the company.

Kevin commented: “There has been a Guy or a Johnson (my mother’s family) employed at Shaws since it began 120 years ago. The Johnson’s helped set the factory up by building a road to it. Everyone in my family has worked here - great grandparents, grandparents, mum, dad, brother, nephews, now it’s my son, his stepbrothers and also me.”

Defined globally by its authentic British heritage, Shaws of Darwen has marked this monumental achievement by unveiling a new, updated brand identity to best reflect the company’s history, age and values - including a refreshed logo and new-look website.

David added: “Being old doesn’t mean you have to be old fashioned. As a business, we continue to flourish and our aim is to remain relevant in ever-changing markets, whilst maintaining our founding principles of quality, integrity and reliability.”

Drawing inspiration from the original logo design, created in 1897, the company’s new logo is instantly recognizable and will serve to operate as a mark of quality, across all of the Shaws product ranges.