Background
Bristow Potteries is a family owned organisation, formed in
1964, with a workforce of 25 employees. Since then the company
has established itself as the leading ceramic manufacturer in
Malta producing a range of customised artistic products. The
company’s constant product development in meeting the
ever-growing customer needs resulted in winning the Award for
Achievement in Industry.
The company directors are four brothers, David, Adrian, Brian
and Mark Grima - all driven by ambition. Each owner-director
has a specific role in the management of the organisation by
assuming the specific responsibilities of finance, operations,
administration, production, distribution and marketing.
Four years ago the company directors had the vision to transform
the product from British to Italian technology thus adding artisan
value with design diversity whilst creating a Mediterranean
feel. Their hand-painted artefacts add colour and style to every
setting creating a real Maltese atmosphere.
This success story was achieved by rebuilding and retooling
the manufacturing plant from a modest Nissan hut to a state
of the art structure covering 2,000 square metres, located at
the Crafts Village, limits of Rabat.
The production process is positioned as an open display of the
company’s talented artisans creating a motivating working
environment, which in turn is much appreciated by its Maltese
customers and visiting tourists.
The company’s projection is to have new lines every three
months. At any given moment there are already 700-800 pieces
available in the ceramic display gallery. This main point of
sale doubles up as a showcase of Maltese talent producing hand
painted products with a refreshing cafeteria decorated in a
Mediterranean setting from ceramics motifs designed and manufactured
by the company. The concept is to offer a unique shopping experience
to Maltese consumers and the visiting tourists that flock this
artisan resort.
The Bristow Collection compares very competitively with foreign
imports both in design and material. In Malta, Bristow Potteries
is the only manufacturer of ceramic art products with state
of the art technology. The company’s product is uniquely
positioned in its design and artistic value. Another competitive
advantage is the customer’s option to create and order
his personal design on this ceramic product. These are key benefits
to its local and foreign customers.
The company’s growth in the retail activity was marked
with the opening of its “Ceramic Art” shop at the
Luxe Pavilion - the prestigious shopping destination in Portomaso,
St.Julian’s. The artistic value of the Bristow Collection
blends with the renowned global brands, creating an extraordinary
experience in high class shopping.
Embracing the National Heritage – A Social Commitment.
The aim of the company is to create awareness, in our young
generation towards the development of artisan ceramic handicraft
in Malta. Ceramic art is regarded as a national heritage, influenced
by the surrounding cultural development in the Mediterranean
region.
Young students gain a value-added educational benefit in their
social studies curriculum during their memorable school visits,
through the historical background of this craft and their hands-on
experience. Here they have the opportunity to experiment in
creating a pottery item in the form of biscuit clay, which they
can take back to school or home. In turn their teachers would
have the opportunity to model a school project.
The Production Process – an artistic experience
At Bristow Potteries one can see the manufacturing process of
our exclusive products made out of a variety of clays ranging
from the red Terracotta to the white Earthenware, Stoneware
and Porcelain. Initially the clay is liquefied and poured into
different moulds and left to stand for a few hours after which
the solidified item is extracted from the mould.
Each item is then left to dry for some time after which extra
pieces are shaven off to ensure a smooth and even surface. Following
this the item is sponged to clean off any residue. Before firing,
these items are left to dry at room temperature during which
the clay dries completely to avoid cracking during firing.
Besides manufacturing items using moulds, at Bristow Potteries
we also take pride in unique items that are shaped by our master
potters using various methods including the potter's wheel.
After the items have dried completely, they are leaded into
a kiln for about 6 hours at around 950 degrees Celsius for the
first firing. These items are then taken out of the kiln for
hand painting and glazing.
Our artists carefully and meticulously paint our items in a
wide range of colour and shades. Such items include house and
street names that are painted to our clients' specifications,
mugs, pots, vases and a number of other items.
Once the items are painted, they are loaded back into the kiln
at temperatures of around 1200 degrees Celsius to register the
vibrant colour and glazing associated with the Bristow Potteries
range of products.
Our finished items are resistant to temperatures as low as
-50 degrees Celsius. The final stage involves checking each
item that comes out of the kiln to ensure maximum quality
and then placed in our factory retail outlet.
Ceramics Promotional Products
We offer our exclusive hand-painted ceramics as high-end promotional
products for your events, and other promotional opportunities.
We can manufacture many items that do not appear in our catalogue
and personalize your items with special painted decorations
that depict events, or the emblems. We can also make actual
pre-production proofs before we run the entire order.
In addition to producing high quality ceramic artefacts Bristow
also specialises in the production of highly sought after
ceramic tableware. Bristow Potteries is now producing classic
patterns such as the "Olive". This flagship pattern-design
launches the product development strategy targeted for the
local and export markets.
A prestigious recognition
In October 2004 Bristow Potteries received a prestigious recognition
from the Prime Minister of Malta when he presented the President
of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, a hand-painted ceramic product
during his official visit to this country.
At Bristow we are convinced that the achievement of our entrepreneurial
vision and the consistency in the product development of our
hand-painted ceramic artefacts would reflect a true image
of our country in the in the artisan sector.
Qaulitheme
In May 2005, Bristow started the process to achieve the Qualitheme
certificate for Quality by the Malta Enterprise. This project
is aimed to achieve Management and Quality goals for artisan
businesses in the EU and Mediterranean countries. This certification
has ensures that the company is familiar with its market in
terms of competitors, current clients, potential clients and
client satisfaction. Bristow is now assuring its competitive
advantage in the consistency and development of its products
and services through its quality processes in its operation
and total customer satisfaction.
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