Shaws has a rich history spanning over 125 years.
1890
William Shaw buys Whitebirk Colliery at Blackburn and Belthorn Colliery. He asks his nephew, Arthur Gerald Shaw, to help run the business.
Arthur realises that the spoil from the two collieries contains rich fireclay deposits. With his brothers Robert and Miles, Arthur begins to experiment with this material.
1897
The date is St Valentine’s Day, 1897. Arthur founds a limited company to make fireclay products.
1903
By 1903, Shaws sanitaryware range is well established.
Arthur insists that every piece should be stamped underneath with the name of the craftsman who made it and the year of manufacture. From this habit we know of a 1903 model that is still in daily use today. If you have a Shaws sink that is even older, please tell us!
1908
The company expands rapidly.
Arthur builds a new factory at Waterside to cope with demand.
1914
The First World War disrupts normal production.
Shaws contributes to the war effort, making acid ware and ceramic conductors for the government.
1919
Arthur invents and patents a new gas-fuelled kiln to improve the quality of production.
This is so successful he establishes a separate company, The Shaws Gas Kiln Company, to build and install kilns throughout the world.
1924
Shaws becomes the largest employer in the area.
With 600 people employed at the 26 acre site at Waterside, Darwen.
1930
Furnishing the entire bathroom suite.
The 1930 Shaws catalogue shows that an entire bathroom suite can now be purchased from Shaws, including the ‘Sumptuor’ white glazed fireclay bath.
1951
Arthur dies at Accrington Victoria Hospital on 9th June, 1951.
Shaws diversified further, manufacturing fireplaces. It eventually made over 60,000.
1990s
After a difficult period in the 1980s when many British manufacturers closed down, Shaws starts to thrive again by supplying fireclay sinks to premium kitchen showrooms such as Smallbone of Devizes.
American Ken Rohl agrees his first contract to distribute Shaws in the United States. Shaws soon becomes the luxury kitchen sink of choice in thousands of homes across America.
