Company History
A privately owned company established by Mr. Henry Burbidge in 1867, Richard Burbidge has been passionate about the design, manufacture and supply of timber products for over 150 years.
1867 Established by Mr. Henry Burbidge in Coventry
It was Coventry’s thriving textile industry that persuaded master craftsman woodturner, Henry Burbidge, to set up his own business. Henry Burbidge founded his woodworking company, H. Burbidge & Sons with just 10 shillings. In the early days, Henry Burbidge turned his hand to producing croquet mallets, cricket stumps and stairparts.
1910 A new opportunity
The arrival of the motor car opened a new market for Henry Burbidge, supplying wooden parts for the newly emerging car industry.
1914 The First World War
When war broke out in 1914, Henry Burbidge and his team found themselves working for the war effort – manufacturing dummy wooden bomb shells!
1940 The Second World War
World War Two brought disaster to the business when the factory was completely destroyed in the Coventry blitz of November 1940.
1946 A new factory
Luckily the setback was short-lived, as Henry Burbidge’s grandson, Harry Burbidge, bought a piece of land on Burnsall Road, Coventry and erected a factory and purpose-built offices, after a period of working in temporary premises.
1964 A new opportunity
As wooden parts were no longer being used in the design of cars and agricultural machinery, H. Burbidge & Sons recognised that many of their products would soon become obsolete. In response, Mr. Burbidge started looking for new markets, identifying a trend of solid doors on kitchen furniture.
1964 Opened Oswestry facility
Rapid growth of the company led to the decision to switch all wood turning from Coventry to another factory located in Oswestry, Shropshire. The facility was established in 1964 with the construction of a 7,500 square foot factory and timber store.
1965 Mr. Richard Burbidge joins the business
Harry Burbidge was joined by his two sons, Richard and David. Richard Burbidge set up the Oswestry site for the business.
1984 Started manufacturing stairparts again
Richard Burbidge saw an opportunity in the home improvement market and began manufacturing a range of feature stairparts, designed especially for the D.I.Y enthusiast, which was an outstanding success.
1986 Started manufacturing timber mouldings
The success of the stairparts range was quickly followed by a range of decorative wooden mouldings.
1986 Demerger from H. Burbidge & Sons
Richard Burbidge Ltd split from H Burbidge & Sons to focus solely on the manufacture and supply of timber stairparts and mouldings.
1989 Opened Chirk facility
To keep up with the growing demand for decorative mouldings, Richard Burbidge acquired a site in Chirk, North Wales. The factory was built in 1989 with state of the art equipment, including a Weinig machinery and a grading line, to ensure high quality mouldings were provided to the customer.
1990 Started manufacturing decking balustrade
Due to the success of the stairparts ranges, Richard Burbidge also began manufacturing decking balustrades.
2002 Launched Fusion stairparts collection
Richard Burbidge saw an opportunity emerging in the stairparts market, noticing a trend towards combining timber with glass and metal. The Fusion stairparts collection was launched to meet this need; an easy to fit range designed for the DIY market. Fusion remains one of our most popular products today.
2003 Welcomes Atkinson & Kirby
Richard Burbidge saw an opportunity in the wood flooring market, acquiring sister company, Atkinson & Kirby. Atkinson & Kirby was established in 1903 by John Atkinson and John Kirby, supplying hardwood flooring.
2005 Mr. Josh Burbidge joins the business
Josh Burbidge, son to Richard Burbidge, joined the company in 2005.
2012 Launched Immix and Elements stairparts collection
The success of the Fusion stairparts collection was followed by the release of Immix and Elements. Immix and Elements collections were designed for the DIY market looking for a modern look with the choice of timber, glass or metal.
2019 Consolidated all sites to Chirk facility
As part of the ongoing development of the company, Richard Burbidge relocated its office headquarters to join the existing manufacturing and distribution facility in Chirk, North Wales. The move improved both the service and quality of products by having all staff in one location.
2020 – Present. We continue to innovate and inspire the next generation of timber products
Richard Burbidge still remains a family-run business with Josh Burbidge as Managing Director, and Richard Burbidge as Chairman. There is still the same emphasis and commitment today to quality, customer service and the finest traditions of British craftsmanship instilled by the original Henry Burbidge more than 150 years ago.
We combine one and a half centuries of skill and craft with leading technology to develop the next generation of high-quality timber products, making Richard Burbidge a market leader.