Photo (L-R): Nick Collins, founder and director of Collins Bespoke and Daniel Mesecke, Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman
Ashford hand-made interiors company, Collins Bespoke, has won a prestigious national quality award for its business, production processes and products. The business, which designs, manufactures and installs bespoke kitchens for domestic and commercial customers, has been recognised by the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, The Furniture Makers’ Company, with its quality award, the Manufacturing Guild Mark.
Based in Bethersden, near Ashford, Collins Bespoke employs a 15-strong team of designers, joiners and fitters; and, provides luxury kitchens and other interiors for domestic and commercial clients across the South East.
Founder Nick Collins began his career 30 years ago as an apprentice for Kent rocking-horse maker, Stevenson Brothers, setting up his own interiors business in 2001. Collins Bespoke currently hand-crafts and installs around 60 kitchens every year from its showroom and production workshop in Bethersden.
“It’s a huge honour to be given this recognition by The Furniture Makers’ Company, which is such a renowned mark of quality,” says Nick. “Everything we do is about ensuring our work and materials meet the highest quality standards and are constantly improving, so it’s tremendous to have this endorsement.”
The company generates a £1.2m turnover, with 70% of its work focused on high-end kitchens, ranging from £8,000 to £50,000. A flourishing apprenticeship scheme ensures a supply of skilled younger talent, and four current Collins Bespoke employees started out with the business as apprentices.
The Manufacturing Guild Mark has been awarded to Britain’s top furniture and furnishing manufacturers for 30 years and is only given to companies that can evidence the highest standards across seven assessment criteria: design, product development and function, manufacture, human resources, financial stability, sustainability and sales and marketing.
Daniel Mesecke, Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman, said: “Congratulations to Nick and all the Collins Bespoke team. The Manufacturing Guild Mark is testament to the excellence of their business and of the kitchens and interiors they make and fit.
“During the audit process, Collins Bespoke really impressed us with, among other things, their strong environmental credentials: waste is minimised and any wood waste is burnt to fuel the firm’s heating and hot water, while suppliers must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure the timber is sustainably produced.
“They are also dedicated to constantly improving their own designs, processes and the service they provide to clients and show a real commitment to excellence.”
The Manufacturing Guild Mark is only open to businesses that manufacture most of their products in the UK. Companies undergo an independent audit every three years by the Furniture Industry Research Association on behalf of the Furniture Makers’ Company to ensure their standards of operation remain high.
