At Original BTC, our commitment to quality and craftsmanship is exemplified through the factories we own and operate across the UK. From our bone china factory in Stoke-on-Trent to our metalwork and glass facilities, each plays a vital role in bringing our designs to life. By keeping production in-house, we ensure every detail meets our exacting standards, allowing us to preserve traditional British manufacturing while embracing innovation.
Our founder, Peter Bowles, was the first designer to incorporate fine bone china into lighting. From the outset, he committed to local manufacturing, choosing Stoke-on-Trent, the historic heartland of British pottery since the 18th century, as his base.
Exceptional durability, brilliant whiteness and unique translucency of fine bone china set it apart from other ceramics, making it the ideal material for his innovative lighting designs.
In 2002, a visit to the factory producing our bone china shades revealed it was under threat of closure. Determined to preserve this exceptional skill, Peter took on the business – along with all its staff – ensuring its future for generations to come.
Today, the factory is Original BTC’s lifeblood, producing the bone china components synonymous with many of our best-loved designs.
All our products are handmade using traditional methods by skilled craftspeople. Each piece passes through at least six pairs of hands – from slip casting and hand-finishing to kiln-firing at precise temperatures. Some pieces are even hand-painted, adding an extra layer of artistry to our designs.
Many of our artisans have been with us for years, specialising in specific production steps. From our expert casters who shape the initial slip, to our dedicated spongers and fettlers, skilled kiln operators, glazers, foot wipers and master painters each specialist contributes a vital step in bringing our lighting shades to life.
In 2011, Original BTC acquired Britain’s last flat glass manufacturer, English Antique Glass, gaining exceptional glass expertise and ensuring the survival of a centuries-old craft.
Based in our Oxfordshire factory, the skilled team continues to produce exquisite stained glass panels, seen in historic landmarks such as York Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.
Our glass makers are also regularly adding techniques to their skill set, including press moulding – a refined process where molten glass is carefully pressed into moulds to create intricate, high-quality designs.
Originally focused on producing hand-blown glass for the shades of our Davey Well Glass lights, the factory has since become integral to the entire Original BTC range. The expertise of our master glass blowers has enabled us to expand production capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Every piece is handmade using traditional techniques – from gathering molten glass to shaping, blowing, and finishing by hand. The result is beautifully textured, characterful glass that showcases the artistry behind each design.
By owning our glass factory, we ensure complete control over quality and innovation, safeguarding British glassblowing while continuing to evolve our collections.
Dedicated to British manufacturing, Original BTC incorporated a Birmingham based metalworks in 2011, a company with over 50 years of expertise in metalworks. The highly skilled team uses traditional soldering, welding, and forming techniques to craft shades, bases, and components from brass, copper, and aluminium.
Originally based in Birmingham, the metalworks operation relocated to our Oxfordshire factory site in 2022, bringing its specialist workforce and machinery under one roof.
For our sandcast metal lights, including the popular Mast range, we have a longstanding partnership with a foundry in Birmingham.
Their skilled team employs the traditional sandcasting process, creating moulds from compacted sand into which molten metal is carefully poured by hand. Once the metal has cooled, the mould is broken away, revealing the raw cast form. Each piece is then precision machined and finished to the desired specification, whether it be a high polished or a textured, sandblasted finish.
For more than 30 years, Original BTC has been creating beautiful lighting. Discover our key milestones and learn how we've established ourselves as one of Britain's foremost lighting design brands.