Listawood Visit.

[arthur.daley]

Wasn't this only valid until October this year?

(

didn't realise it had run out already - that said I'd still be inclined to see if I could swing some discount ;o)

[NikGrey]

As we now know - our discount is still available.

WOW - What a place, I was in my element.
Lovely people, Two Big Factories (One for printing and One for Mugs) and an office block - all set on what I think is left of RAF Sculthorpe.

We (I took the missus for a day out) were taken for a tour of both factories, shown what happened at each station and was most impressed. Obviously the place is full of workers who I must say all seemed very happy in what they were doing - there was certainly a nice atmosphere in there.

They also paint mugs in that area - it's fascinating to watch and I learned a lot again from from walking around and using my eyes.

After discussing how I was printing the base of my mugs we were taken to where they apply their own sublimation coating (they have an exclusive mix 'Duraglaze' but I didn't manage to get the composition of which out of Chris - my knowledgeable guide) - it looks like my assumption was correct - it's merely 'Overpsray' that my designs are adhering to.

They are using what I suppose must be every process in there and every mug shape - they even still do Screen Printing !

This place is well worth a visit - I'm really glad I took the time to go.

There is a 'Demo Room' also with presses as you would expect - also some shelving with products on, I was most impressed with a few things not least the Subacrylic.. that's a nice looking thing - I didn't get a sample of that though. They were so busy I didnt really get much in the way of samples but I dod come away with a few things. I will certainly be using them for things - they have some really good quality stuff.

Thanks Listawood - you made my day


ps. Normally I would have been taking pictures of everything but didnt feel comfortable doing that in there as I am sure some things are commercially sensitive.

[arthur.daley]

that multi station rotating five colour screen printing machine over near the mug spraying line is quite something isn't it?


Arthur

[NikGrey]

Yes, they only had it set up for Two colour when I was there, but I agree - fascinating to watch

[pisquee]

That sounds great to see - wish they were local to us.
Great to hear they're doing they're own coating here in UK Was it just mug coating they do, or do they coat other products themselves?

[spongerobinson]

That sounds great to see - wish they were local to us.
Great to hear they're doing they're own coating here in UK Was it just mug coating they do, or do they coat other products themselves?

Also very interested in the fact that they are doing their own coating here. Might have to try and get a sample. Always interested in supporting local if the quality is good!

[pisquee]

We did a few years back, have some old sublimation mugs which were made in England (not just coated here) and probably came from Listawood, they didn't fare well in the dishwasher though.

Would much rather support UK production rather than send money to Thailand, but the cost would probably be prohibitive.

[spongerobinson]

Yes the dishwasher proof aspect is something of huge importance to us. That and cleanliness of the product, particularly under the coating!

We did a few years back, have some old sublimation mugs which were made in England (not just coated here) and probably came from Listawood, they didn't fare well in the dishwasher though.

Would much rather support UK production rather than send money to Thailand, but the cost would probably be prohibitive.

[Renniwano]

I have mugs from Listawood.. their Durham range.. and admittedly I had a batch from them were full of errmm dirty marks under the coating issues.. and a batch where the coating hadn't been cured correctly so unfortunately peeled off when put in a dishwasher etc..

BUT - they have dealt with them as soon as they have seen the issues.. and they have been some of the straightest mugs I have worked with.. even better now I have matched them with their Genie mug press

I need to get my car back on the road.. the other half and I would love a visit to see things done on a 'larger' scale lol.

[NikGrey]

I have a background in promotion and sales so need to be sure I don't go into 'Sales Mode' here - there's nothing in it for me to extol the virtues of the Mugs I saw.

Kris (sorry for calling you Chris before - I also get irritated when people spell my name wrong) went to great lengths to get the point over that their 'Duraglaze' coating is dishwasher safe - He said they had tested with over 2000 dishwasher sessions and still no fading. they looked clean to me (And I don't mean a mug that's been through a dishwasher 2000 times).

I was allowed to bring 4x 11oz Duraglaze Mugs back with me and they are very good. My favourite mug at the moment were obtained from a private member here and I absolutely love them - when I saw the Listawood version I was unsure if they were actually the same, physically there is very little difference (dimensions and handle shape) infact the Listawood Mug is slightly less than 1mm shorter that my fave mug. If anything the Listawood mug is slightly brighter.

And a box of 36 mugs is only £4 postage I was told: