Striking a balance between modern and traditional production techniques, Covercraft Upholstery is a modest yet capable designer-manufacturer that has garnered a reputation for quality, service and creativity. Paul Farley visited Covercraft’s factory in Long Eaton to find out more from the company’s director, Stuart Simmons …
Founded in 1986 by Stuart’s father, Jeff, Covercraft started life as a re-upholstery business, before diversifying in 2000 to offer a well-rounded selection of finished sofas and chairs.
Last year, a further piece of the puzzle fell into place when the business acquired its own framemaking shop. Today, Covercraft operates from two nearby units and employs 23 members of staff.
Its independent portfolio boasts some 60 models, ranging from traditional to modern, and these are dressed in fabrics (plus COM and a few leathers) from textile houses including Jim Dickens, Linwood and Art of the Loom.
Each piece is hand crafted, with most of the frames constructed from sustainable hardwoods, and traditionally glued, screwed and dowelled. The fabrics are hand cut and pattern matched (with matching piping if appropriate), and tailored across fillings including hessian, felt, high-density foams and fibre, and de-quilled feathers.
The bulk of Covercraft’s seats feature traditional mesh coil springs on steel laths, with areas of heavy use employing heavier gauge springs, while the backs – and some more compact models – feature serpentine springs. Vulnerable areas such as corners feature solid blocks for extra durability.
The construction of each model is efficient yet labour intensive, with Covercraft’s skilled team utilising a range of skills to ensure quality and character is present in every finished model.
“Many of today’s upholstery manufacturers have dispensed with the more traditional skills behind our craft,” says Stuart, “but, where they complement the process, these have been retained within our team, handed down from generation to generation.”
Covercraft also offers bespoke design and manufacture, and makes white label collections for a range of clients, including a growing number of customers in the contract sector.
“Everyone’s got their niche,” says Stuart, “but we do our best to turn our hand to whatever’s required of us. The bespoke element – being able to diversify when we need to – is key to what we do here.”
There’s also a playful side to Covercraft. Taking pride of place at the showroom’s entrance is the Mozart armchair, a specially developed model emblazoned with an eye-catching printed fabric from up-and-coming textile designer Emilie Georgia.
Since emerging onto the scene at New Designers 2016, Emilie has worked with the likes of John Lewis and Sofas & Stuff. Mozart, a brash contemporary design that marries graffiti and watercolours, is one of her more left-field creations, but it makes for a great statement piece, and also conveys a measure of Covercraft’s attitude. “It’s all about capability,” says Stuart.
“Alongside our stock portfolio, we’re able to deliver pretty much whatever the client needs, and we pride ourselves on being able to do that at the best possible value.”
A growing number of customers is coming to realise Covercraft’s abilities, ensuring a healthy order pipeline and likely further growth. “Our customers appreciate the quality of our output – and our service. We’re happy to go the extra mile to help out if necessary,” concludes Stuart.
