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Darwen Terracotta is thrilled to announce its double victory at the prestigious Red Rose Awards 2025, winning both the Made in Lancashire Award and the Export Award.
These awards celebrate their dedication to excellence in manufacturing and outstanding success in international markets.
The Red Rose Awards, one of Lancashire’s most esteemed business events, took place on 13th March 2025 at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, bringing together the county’s most innovative and inspiring companies.
In a fiercely competitive field, Darwen Terracotta were honoured to stand alongside businesses that exemplify innovation, resilience, and a commitment to quality.
Jon Wilson, Managing Director at Darwen Terracotta, said:
“Winning these two awards is a testament to the craftsmanship, dedication, and innovation that drive our business every day.
“Lancashire has an incredible manufacturing heritage, and we are proud to contribute to its continued success—both locally and globally.”
Darwen Terracotta specialise in the design and manufacture of architectural terracotta and faience, supplying restoration and new-build projects across the UK and beyond.
Alongside this, they proudly trade as Whitebirk Sink Company, applying expertise in traditional ceramic techniques to produce handcrafted fireclay ceramic sinks.
Steve Allen, Managing Director of Whitebirk Sink Company, added:
“These awards recognise the incredible work of our entire team. Whether it’s our architectural terracotta or our fireclay ceramic sinks, everything we create reflects our commitment to quality and tradition.
“Seeing our craftsmanship celebrated on such a platform is a moment of great pride for all of us.”
Adding a unique perspective on the company’s journey, Simona Weldon, Marketing Manager for Darwen Terracotta and Whitebirk Sink Company, shared:
“When I joined the team almost eight months ago, I was struck by the incredible team spirit in the factory, the caring leadership, and the remarkable story behind the business.
“Exactly 10 years ago, Jon and Steve were longtime colleagues at the same company, unaware that their department would soon close, leaving them and nearly 40 skilled craftspeople redundant.
“But rather than accepting the loss, they made a promise—to preserve Lancashire’s heritage and expertise in architectural ceramics dating back to 1897. They founded Darwen Terracotta Limited, rehiring most of their colleagues and turning a crisis into an opportunity.”
“Now, how many people would go from employees to employers at nearly 60 years old, risking everything—including their own homes—to start a business? This summer, we’ll be celebrating 10 years of Darwen Terracotta—a decade of triumphs and challenges, securing investment, expanding into fireclay sink manufacturing, surviving a pandemic, embracing cutting-edge technologies, and keeping artisan skills alive.
“Today, Darwen Terracotta proudly stand as the UK’s largest manufacturer of architectural terracotta, the only British-owned producer of architectural terracotta and fireclay sinks, and the world’s third-leading specialist in terracotta restoration. And to think—it all started with a job loss that two visionaries turned into an opportunity.”
These awards highlight their unwavering commitment to local craftsmanship and the ability to showcase Lancashire’s manufacturing excellence on a global stage. Their export success has enabled them to share the authenticity and quality of British-made products worldwide, from historic restorations to contemporary design projects.
Darwen Terracotta is also committed to sustainability and reducing its overall carbon footprint. As part of this commitment, they have recently completed the Green Rose Programme within the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, a six-month initiative designed to help businesses implement an environmental management system aligned with ISO 14001 standards. Additionally, we are actively working with the Chamber to calculate our overall business carbon footprint and identify new opportunities for further reductions.
Further strengthening their global strategy, L. Allen, a key member of the team, who successfully completed the Skills Bootcamp in International Trade last year, reflected on the achievement:
“The International Trade Bootcamp has provided our business with essential knowledge on the practical aspects of global trade, helping us to navigate the complexities of international markets with confidence.”
The Red Rose Awards 2025 was a celebration of Lancashire’s thriving business community—an evening filled with energy, camaraderie, and shared success. Darwen Terracotta extend their sincere gratitude to the judges, event organisers, and sponsors for recognising their journey. Most importantly, they thank their dedicated team, whose hard work and passion make achievements like this possible.
