Whilst I continue to discuss what great design means to me and discuss examples of it in the world around me; I will now also be blogging about my experiences from a new Design and Technology module that I am studying this semester. This will involve reactions to guest speakers, individual pieces of research into design and thoughts about weekly exercises.
This week Craig Whittet delivered an interesting talk asking the question: “Is the next generation the demise of skilled manufacturing in the UK?”. During this presentation he discussed several manufacturers on a range of scales to explain changes to the industry and share his personal views about them. In whole, I found it really interesting to learn the stories of companies and brands that I had never heard of before. I particularly enjoyed discussions about modernising manufacturing to bring it into the twenty first century and how product design can play a part in keeping it alive in the UK.
Craig started by discussing the shoe industry and used it to exemplify how and why apprenticeships in manufacturing are becoming less popular across Britain. Designers such as Manolo Blahnik produce bespoke, handmade pieces of artwork that happen to be in the form of shoes. After a mention in “Sex in the City” the business was taken to new heights but retained the high value placed on the shoes because of the artistic levels of design and attention to detail. Similarly, Tricker’s sell shoes at a high price point because of their quality of materials and production. Craig explained his purchase of their boots after a trip to the factory and discovering close to 270 procedures go into every shoe. Their pledge to repair their shoes no questions asked shows a true dedication to customer satisfaction and their craft. Ten years on, Craig was still wearing his. Unfortunately, brands like Tricker’s are a dying breed. Moral codes are expensive in manufacturing so to maintain them young apprentices used to learn a trade whilst being paid rock bottom wages. Making shoes by hand is hard work and new professions like call centres are popping up everywhere in the UK and certainly pay better. This analogy explains the choice many young people face when leaving school and most aren’t choosing Tricker’s.
Craig went on to explain how, historically, skilled labour has been a major part of the UK economy. Men like Robert Stevenson (1777-1850) became pioneers of industry from humble beginnings. Stevenson’s family name is now famous for his civil engineering projects, scientific discoveries and his Grandson, Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson was a self-taught, experimental engineer who discovered new lens designs for street lights to reduce oil usage by amplifying the brightness of the flame. He transferred this technology to lighthouses which, at the time, were scarce. He went on to design and build several lighthouses particularly around Scotland. Craig discussed that these lighthouses could be “the pyramids of Scotland” for his generation and after explaining why it’s hard to disagree. His enthusiasm for his personal hero’s work was contagious as he explained that no concrete or cement was used to bind the enormous stone walls together; the rocks were cut to fit together. Bell Rock Lighthouse (1811) was built on a barren rock, in the midst of a brutally rough sea, using what we would now call primitive tools and boats. A blacksmith was even brought out to the rock to continuously sharpen tools as they cut rocks to size. The lighthouse claimed six lives whilst being built and it is a testament to the drive, ambition and skill of historic manufactures.
But not all stories in business have such a happy ending. Being a keen cyclist Craig mentioned Brooks bike saddles; a British brand steeped in history and tradition. JB Brooks filed his first bike saddle patent in 1882 and from there, manufactured and sold leather saddles which were inspired by the far more comfortable horse riding saddle. As bikes became popular the family business boomed for nearly a century but struggled after WWII and subsequently the family sold the company to Raleigh. It was then bought by Italian saddle giants Selle Royal in 2002 for a rock bottom price on the verge of bankruptcy. But why absorb a struggling brand’s depts? Simple, the reputation. In this day-and-age trust from consumers, a perception of reliability and assurances on quality can be bought and sold. Selle Royal adapted the business model to sell modern, lightweight saddles at the high price point Brooks brand justified- and it’s worked. It shows a clear market demand for high quality goods but jobs in the UK in this sector are still decreasing. This is obviously massively influenced by the globalisation of business and the potential of cheaper wages and materials in less developed areas of the world. For me, this becomes a question of ethical practice and social responsibilities versus the ambition of corporations. The reality is business is competitive. It’s brutal. So, how is it possible to maintain manufacturing jobs here, in the UK? And, is it worth it?
The answer is complicated and at the root of the issue is the relationship between why different jobs are getting paid different amounts. For instance, why is the designer’s salary higher than someone on the production line? Doing a difficult job in unpleasant conditions could be argued to be worth more compensation. We tend to place a higher value on jobs we perceive to be more difficult or based on intellectual prowess and have somewhat started to ignore the level of skill and dedication that is required for a high level of manufacturing. This includes aspects of mould design and finishing which require excruciating levels of detail to produce the desired outcome. Going back to the apprenticeship versus call centre scenario, a significant responsibility has to be placed on political spending in UK. With lacking support and incentives schemes how can it be expected that companies choose to keep jobs here in the UK. Politics were briefly discussed in Craig’s presentation but I wanted to stay clear of them as I personally don’t have the expertise to make informed comments. I hope that consumers do respond to brands that keep production within the UK because otherwise, the legacy of engineers will be lost. Investing into a company culture and ethos deserves respect but, unfortunately, it seems the once crowded industry of British manufacturing is being upheld by just a few pillars, and those pillars, are crumbling.
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