Pearsons
Becomes Largest UK Coloured Glass Supplier with Acquisition of Hetleys
and Launches The Pearsons Prize
Earlier
this month
Pearsons Glass Ltd of Liverpool announced - at an event in The Crypt of
St Paul's Cathedral, London - the company’s take over of James Hetleys
Ltd which made Pearsons the largest supplier of coloured and decorative
glass in the country. Pearsons Chairman Peter Vellins (pictured), and
MD Ray Mawson marked the occasion by launching a new competition within
the glass industry, The Pearsons Prize.
The categories for the awards will range from glass art to restoration,
best use of glass in shop fitting to architecture. From these categories
an overall winner will be chosen by the judges who feel has made the best
and most imaginative use of glass. The exact parameters will be announced
in January as Pearsons are consulting the glass industry and the trade
press, to make sure that everyone has an input, making it a true industry
award. The date for the award has not been set as yet, but early indications
are that it will be held in July next year.
With the acquisition of Hetleys Glass, the company is now by far the largest supplier of coloured and decorative glass in the United Kingdom. A commitment to investment in the best and most up to date machinery, technology and people, will enable Pearsons to offer the best in quality products, materials and service.
Pearsons
Glass is an established company based in Liverpool England. The company
was formed in 1901 as J Pearson and Company silvering, bevelling, over-mantel
manufacturer and cabinetmakers. The company has survived two world wars
and was purchased by the present owners in 1977 when it became Pearsons
Glass Limited.
Pearsons Glass is a founder member of the Glass & Glazing Federation
and has worked closely with them representing the UK Glass Industry on
technical negotiation and general council committees.
Pearsons
has moved premises four times since 1977 due to heavy investment and today
has warehouse space of 35,000ft in both Liverpool, which is the main headquarters
and East Kilbride in Scotland a satellite depot.
The company has a firm commitment in investing in the future and in the
past has seen the arrival of the very latest in a line of technologically
advanced machines, including automated shaped cutting machine with scanning
and optimisation facilities and the latest model eight spindle straight
line edging machine.
The recent purchases of an Intermac master beveller, vertical drilling
with integrated washing machine along with investment in a water filtration
system, means that Pearsons investment maintains the quality of glass
produced to an extremely high standard.
Glass Processing and Services
The development of glass processing has been gradual but impressive and
firmly based on the principles of sound engineering management and particularly
customer service. This has resulted in a glass processing facility that
incorporates some of the most advanced computerised systems and machines
together with the individual skills of an expert and dedicated workforce.
Pearsons
offers all types of processed glass in all manner of shapes, thickness
and sizes. Cutting and polishing of both straight line and intricate shaped
edges are readily available. Bevelling in straight lines or shapes is
equally offered. The drilling of various sized holes is a natural part
of the company’s production as well as cutouts, notches and finger
grips.
The manufacturing of mirrors is a well established tradition of Pearsons’
business, along with the new technical glasses and processes that are
emerging, The addition of a toughening plant ensures that Pearsons has
‘total in-house processing control from start to finish’.
Pearsons Glass decorative department is able to offer the customer a full
and complete service from idea to delivery. An expertly trained design
team regularly creates new and unusual ‘one off’ designs for
a multitude of customers with varying requirements, from a small company
logo to architectural and commercial masterpieces. The in-house design
team can re-create, replicate or work to customer’s own artwork or
drawings on glass and mirrors, from simple lettering to intricate designs.
Sandblasting can be applied all over to create an obscure effect or can
be multi-staged, for example, light staging and deep carving giving a
3D visual and textured effect. Recent works include the rear of a mirror
being designed and sandblasted then painted, giving the face side of the
mirror a coloured picture effect.
Laminating all types of glass, for example, coloured or float to satisfy
safety glazing requirements.
Bonding and some fusing of glass can be done and Pearsons is always keen
to experiment in new areas, technically and artistically, limited pieces
of slumping, bending and fusing can also be offered.
Coloured
Glass
Pearsons coloured glass department sprang to life in the early 80's, it
began with just a few sheets of coloured glass laid into a corner of the
factory and was there as a service to the already established customer
base. There is the saying that from small acorns grows big oak trees and
certainly in this case it is true. Pearsons development of the coloured
glass division over the intervening years has been gradual and, as always,
has been about being able to supply the customers requirement.
Over the years Pearsons has developed a network of contacts throughout
the world along with Provetro partner companies in Europe. Pearsons can
offer from stock a comprehensive range of glasses, from machine made to
hand blown antique, tools, materials, lead came and ancillary products.
Contacts gained over the years enable Pearsons to supply non-stock products
on a short lead-time.
The recent developments in hot glass have seen Pearsons taking a leading
role in developing this market, offering glasses from Schott and Bullseye
along with kilns developed to Pearsons own specification and manufactured
in the UK
Pearsons has always taken a view that in order to develop the coloured
glass markets, a proactive programme offering new and exciting products,
has been key in developing the use of glass. This view continues to the
present day.
Courses
Pearsons Glass Limited studio was established in 2001 to promote the development
of new materials and processes in glass, working in conjunction with the
North West Arts Board, the Glass National Training Organisation, and major
universities around the country, including Sunderland, Wolverhampton and
Staffordshire. Regular courses are offered at all levels from ‘first
timers’ working with glass, all the way through to a course more
suited to professionals who wish to further develop their knowledge, skills
and techniques. Courses offered are fusing, Painting on glass, Mosaic
Work, Copper Foiling, Leaded Lights, Sandblasting, Etching & Engraving
and UV Bonding.
Pearsons schedule of courses is always changing in line with current demand
and a tailored 1-1 session can be arranged, as customer satisfaction is
a major priority.
Courses can now be available within the greater London area due to the
recent acquisition of Hetleys Glass.
150
Years Of James Hetley & Co
In
1823 James Hetley obtained a lease on 35 Soho Square and opened a glass
warehouse. Some of his family were already in the trade in London selling
glass shades. Little is known of the business until 1951 when James Hetley
exhibited a stained glass window at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park.
In 1879 James Hetley & Co. was appointed by W.E. Chance & Co.
of Oldbury as sole agents for coloured antique glass in London and the
south of England. The bulk of the business was with Chance Brothers of
Smethwick linking antique glass with the closely allied decorated leaded
window business. The leaded light customers used coloured glass such as
tinted, muffled, coloured and sanded sheets, sanded ruby, tinted rolled
and coloured sheet glasses, all these being the speciality of Chance Brothers.
The size and scope of the business remained unchanged right up until the
1950’s and the gradual takeover of W.E. Chance’s antique glass
and it’s associated glasses over the whole of Britain and to some
extent the English speaking part of the Commonwealth (though not the USA).
The War Years
Hetleys was very busy during this time with glasses produced by the Instrument
and Coloured Glass departments, which supplied meter glasses and precision-edged
glasses for a wide variety of uses. All the usual business was at a standstill,
no antique was produced during the war years, and only a few stained glass
artists were able to make any windows.
The supply of window glass was controlled and used exclusively for house
replacement. When the war ended, the shortage of glass became more severe
and it was to be several years before supply was to match demand. In the
years to follow the stained glass studios were all busy with replacing
war-damaged windows paid for by the war Damage Commission. This kept the
antique side at full stretch until the War Damage Commission petered out
and work dropped to a very low level.
The Modern Era
During the late sixties and early seventies, the general merchanting and
coloured glass sections of the company continued to flourish, and in 1976
Hetleys was expanding again but the new businesses acquired were not profitable
and were closed in 1982.
During 1986-1989 further cutbacks were made and the only department to
escape such measures was the coloured glass section. In 1989 the Wembly
premises were sold. The general merchanting business amalgamated with
the Aylesbury branch and moved to leased premises in Leighton Buzzard
and the coloured glass section rented a unit in Acton, West London. The
following year the decision was made to sell the entire merchanting business.
It was purchased by Nicholls & Clarke and is still based in Leighton
Buzzard retaining the name of ‘Hetleys’.
Unfortunately the terms of the sale agreement meant that the the coloured
glass department was left to collect the debts of the merchanting business.
Many of the se debts were not honoured and by January 1991 the company
was facing serious difficulties.
Terry Driscoll who left Hetleys in 1976 had become a director of T&W
Ide Limited and was keen to acquire the business. Negotiations took place
between the receivers and the T & W Ide Group during March resulting
in the stock and name of James Hetley & Co. being purchased. By April
trading began successfully rebuilding the business from T&W Ides’
large premises in Stepney, in the East End of London.
In early 1994 Stained Glass Supplies, a company in the same group as Goddard
& Gibbs, was put up for sale. Although a similar company it catered
far more to the hobbyist market and was much stronger in tools and all
the related equipment that goes with coloured glass. The turnover was
much greater and the business was duly acquired thereby more than trebling
the turnover in one stroke and making Hetleys the largest supplier of
coloured glass in the country. Further space was required to house the
much increased stock, and a little used warehouse on the Stepney site
was converted for this.
Stained glass is becoming more and more popular both in the home and as
a rewarding hobby and business is increasing accordingly.