3 Reasons it's so Important to us that Verselo is Made in Britain
Britain has a long history of manufacturing excellence, but has often been triumphed by competing countries. Why is this? Britain seems unable to recognise a head start as a head start only, and loses momentum when it should still be striving for improvement.
Britain's Manufacturing Legacy
During the Victorian era, Britain made a name for itself in manufacturing. This was partly due to Britain not experiencing a revolution, unlike other European countries, such as France and Spain.
The government and, by extension, economy, seemed more stable and therefore more desirable to investors.
We also benefitted from great engineering minds, such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, George Stephenson and James Watt, to name just a few. (We'll have to dedicate a blog post to these at some point!)
Where British Manufacturing Went Wrong...
Unfortunately, Britain rested on its laurels. The British Empire forced other countries to import from Britain, taking away the necessity for British companies to invest in the latest technology/ machinery. Countries like the United States and Germany did heavily invest and - just like that - Britain gave away its head start.
Note: Our information is from 'Victorian Britain' by The Great Courses.
Reasons Verselo is Made in the UK
Verselo is a brand for the general public after J Banks has spent decades manufacturing products here in Britain for companies worldwide.
J Banks was established in 1846 and remains family-run. Our long-term success has resulted from innovation and high quality. However, the industry has changed. The market has changed.
It seems more common for companies to be chasing the cheapest products, and British manufacturing has shrunk as a result. Most would prefer to import from China to protect profit margins.
We still appreciate quality and innovation, and we know the people do, too. Yes, we could organise for Verselo products to be made elsewhere in the world, but we insist they should be made in Britain. Here's why...
#1) We're good at it
We are experienced in design and manufacturing. A lot of our innovations are used by well-known brands, and we have always been heavy investors in the latest technology and automation. Robots? We build and program our own. We therefore have the capacity to design, patent, manufacturing, and distribute Verselo products nation and worldwide.
#2 Our ethics
We are sick of hearing about terrible working conditions around the world - and even the country. (Read about a factory in Leicester here.) We manufacture our products ourselves, under one roof, so we can be sure PPE is being supplied and wages increase each year. Components that we buy in are from British companies, and our sub-contractors are small, local businesses. We are investing in solar energy to further reduce our carbon footprint, and we can be sure that our products are made from high quality materials.
#3 It's our baby
We are passionate about more products being made in Britain. It encourages a skilled workforce and constant innovation. The Verselo Low Profile Window Handle resulted from an issue we faced as a family and, since its release, we have received the most incredible support from householders, window companies, and blinds and shutter companies all over the UK.
Final Thoughts
Once again, an innovation is being made in Britain. We want it to stay that way. We will keep doing what we love. And any purchase you make with us comes with the knowledge of who we are and what we stand for.
BLINDS VS SHUTTERS: Blinds, You’re a Shady Character… and now SO 2023!
| By Becky S
The Art of Taking Digital Detox Breaks: The 5 Benefits of Unplugging Now for a Healthier Life
| By Rachel Wellman
Future Home Standards (FHS) 2025: What It Means for UK Homeowners and Builders
| By Becky S
Small Steps, Big Impact: 6 Simple Changes You Can Make To Help Protect The Environment
| By Rachel Wellman
...perfect to modernise windows and fit blinds or fly screens.