The Factory Next Door

By: Steve Duke
  • Summary

  • What’s on your list of the greatest products made in Britain? Join journalist Steve Duke as he criss-crosses the island to meet our makers in their factories and workshops. Whilst compiling our list, we hear stories of people pursuing perfection, tales of difficult times, and words of hope. Ultimately, this show is for the dreamers and the optimists. Each episode focuses on one product that gets submitted into the garden shed of greatness – we’ll keep going until the shed is full. Jump in, let’s go, we’re off to celebrate our makers. A new episode drops every fortnight. instagram/thefactorynextdoor
    Steven Duke
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Episodes
  • 20. The Horse Saddle
    Aug 20 2024

    The world’s biggest exporter of horse saddles and harnesses? China. Today it accounts for almost half the entire global market. But British-made saddles are still celebrated for their craftsmanship, and they are still in demand - particularly from riders in places such as America and Australia.

    Number 20 on our list of the greatest products we make in Britain is The Horse Saddle.

    In this week’s episode of The Factory Next Door we head to Walsall, to meet Jane, co-owner of Ryder Saddles. She tells us why a young workforce matters, the joy of blinged up saddles, the pain of posting to Europe, and why the industry is built on cold wet January days.

    Hit the play button and let’s hang out. Afterwards, say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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    32 mins
  • 19. The Teddy Bear
    Aug 6 2024

    This year we’re on course to spend a billion-pounds on stuffed toys and dolls in the UK. The vast majority will arrive in shipping containers, but a small, select group of stuffed toys will be born on our island.

    Number 19 on our list of the greatest products we make is The Teddy Bear.

    In this week’s episode of The Factory Next Door we chat to Kerstin, managing director of Canterbury Bears to discuss the importance of being fair in business, turning away big orders, believing in work with a social purpose, and popping round to Uri Geller’s house.

    Also on the show, we learn how teddy bears got their name, reminisce about our childhood teddies, and give praise to Michael Buble’s jeans.

    Hit the play button, let’s hang out. Afterwards, say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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    30 mins
  • 18. The Linen Jacket
    Jul 23 2024

    In East London, at a former Burberry factory, jackets and shirts are being manufactured with a unique twist – every element of them, from the buttons to the labels, the thread to the cloth, has been produced within the British Isles.

    In this week’s episode of The Factory Next Door, we meet husband-and-wife team Paul and Debbie, co-founders of clothing brand MISSING. They explain why they set out to source everything from the Isles, despair about fake ‘Made in Britain’ labels, and reveal how to resolve a Mexican stand-off.

    Also on the show, we chat to factory manager Alex from Apparel Tasker. She tells us where her love of manufacturing came from, shows off possibly Britain’s best factory canteen, and introduces Peanut the dog.

    Hit the play button, let’s hang out. Afterwards, say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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    31 mins

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