Page 220 - Haddonstone Gesamtkatalog 2018

USEFUL INFORMATION

A BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY

Artificial stone, or cast stone as it is most commonly called today, has
a long and illustrious history that intertwines with the great boom in
classically inspired country house building from the eighteenth century
onwards. There have been more imitations of stone than of any
other natural building material. This persistent emulation has most
consistently been for reasons of economy, availability and fashion,
particularly in applications where quarried stone is difficult, time
consuming and forbiddingly expensive to employ. In the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries, designs created by leading manufacturers
such as Coade, Blashfield, Austin & Seeley, Doulton and Pulham were
used at prestigious country house locations such as Belton, Burghley, Photograph by David Newell-Smith
Croome, Ickworth, Kedleston and Stowe whilst artificial stone today is
still being manufactured by Haddonstone to enhance country houses
across the nation, from Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall to Aske Hall in An early public relations photograph of Bob Barrow, Haddonstone’s founder.
North Yorkshire.
an extensive stockyard and loading area. The premises have
A growing appreciation of the past and the resultant need to conserve been regularly extended to provide some of the most advanced
historic landscapes and gardens, as well as a desire from the public cast stonework mould making facilities in the UK together with a
to create their own accurate representations of gardens from the past, laboratory, vapour curing chamber and both TecStone and TecLite
led to the re-emergence of artificial stone manufacture during the latter production facilities. The manufactory is located just six miles from the
years of the twentieth century. Haddonstone Group headquarters and show gardens at East Haddon.

Haddonstone was established by Robert ‘Bob’ Barrow (1932-1996) Haddonstone (USA) Ltd was formed as a subsidiary of Haddonstone
in 1971 to produce high quality decorative cast stonework. The Ltd in 1990, initially operating from New Jersey. During 1996 a 2.5
company had a range of just seven designs to o er during the first hectare (6 ⁄4 acre) site was acquired in Pueblo, Colorado on which a
1
year of business, six of which continue to be best sellers today: the manufactory was constructed. This incorporated a purpose built mould
Plaited Basket, Elizabethan Jardiniere, French Urn, Regency Urn, shop as well as production facilities for Haddonstone, TecStone and
Scaled Jardiniere and Straight 51” Seat. The company exhibited for TecLite, a large stock-yard and loading docks. In 2000 a purpose built
the first time at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show the following vapour curing chamber was added to the production unit and the size
year. Haddonstone’s collection has subsequently grown to over of the stockyard was doubled. To meet increasing demand, in 2003
one thousand standard designs, with the company gaining an ever the Colorado facility in the USA underwent a major expansion with
increasing reputation for its expertise in the manufacture of custom the creation of additional offices, a new mould shop and an expanded
made architectural stonework. Today, Haddonstone is recognised TecStone production area.
as an international market leader with group companies in the United
Kingdom and the United States of America. For further information on the
history of artificial stone from
The Haddonstone collection comprises the standard range of designs the eighteenth century to the
and is the most comprehensive of its kind produced anywhere. Every present, copies of Simon Scott’s
single item is the work of highly skilled craftsmen. Pieces from the acclaimed book ‘Artificial Stone:
range have been chosen for the construction and renovation of some a successful substitute for
of the world’s most famous buildings, including palaces, stately homes, natural stone?’ are available by
National Trust properties, international hotels, state buildings and request.
gardens, as well as private houses and gardens of every description.
The book should prove of
The demand for landscaping and architectural elements has led to particular interest to conservation
Haddonstone’s continuing expansion. From modest beginnings in and restoration professionals, as
1971, by 1987 the company had moved its manufactory to a purpose well as listed property owners
built complex at Brixworth in Northamptonshire, UK. The two hectare seeking to use Haddonstone as
(five acre) site incorporates Haddonstone’s 5,000 sq m (54,000 sq ft) part of a project.
manufactory, studio and mould shop complex together with

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