are the inventors of world-renowned Axminster weave.

Founded in 1755, we continue to weave the luxury carpets from our site in Devon.

2 3 T H E S T O R Y SO FAR

4 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...

Thomas Whitty began making Axminster method carpets in 1755. These original Axminster Carpets™ could be found in Chatsworth House and Pavilion as well as being bought by King George III and Queen Charlotte, who visited the factory.

182 years later, a manufacturer called Harry Dutfield was on a train where he met a vicar from the West Country who told him that carpets had not been made in Axminster for a while due to a disastrous fire that had destroyed the factory. The germ of an idea was born and in 1937 the decision was taken to re-launch carpet manufacturing in the town of Axminster.

5 This was the renaissance of ‘Axminsters from Axminster’. Axminster Carpets™ continue the proud tradition of making the finest carpets in the world. Carpets from Axminster can be found in royal residences, in some of the finest hotels in the world, in train carriages, on the aircraft of major global airlines and in thousands of discerning homes up and down the country.

To celebrate 250 years of carpet in Axminster a commemorative rug was produced. Re-enacting history, the carpet was paraded by the weavers of Axminster Carpets through the town to the Minster Church where it was blessed by the Bishop of Exeter and then presented to the , who was representing the Queen. It is now at , the home of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Today, Axminster Carpets™ is still weaving beautifully designed carpets in the Devon town of Axminster for the Royal Household, stately homes, luxury hotels and homes around the world.

THE TRUE AUTHENTIC SINCE 1755

6 Today, Axminster Carpets™ is still weaving beautifully designed carpets in the Devon town of Axminster for the Royal Household, stately homes, luxury hotels and homes around the world.

7 OUR CRAFT

8 OVER 250 YEARS OF EXPERTISE

Across the globe, the name of Axminster Carpets is synonymous with the finest quality British carpet making. Our products have been fitted in some of the most famous buildings in the world, and are a prestigious icon of beautiful interior design.

But how does a small factory in Devon manage to create such a renowned global reputation? Quite simply, it’s down to our expert craftsmanship.

WORLD-CLASS CARPETS

Throughout our production processes, we are constantly hand-in- specting at every single stage. Whether it be the quality of the woollen , the accuracy of the weaving process, or the final carpet – we make sure every product that leaves our factory is worthy of the Axminster Carpets name.

9 GARY BRIDGE DESIGN DIRECTOR

“Being part of such an iconic, historic manufacturer that combines tradition and innovation across the business and its products makes this a very exciting time for the design team and myself. There is inspiration in every corner of the business - and as a team we love the daily challenges of designing for such a wide variety of products and markets. Using our expertise and growing reputation in historic reproductions, we have designed innovative products for boutique hotels to inspiring the “domestic” market with new design and weaves.

We benefit as a team having total access across the business from access to different wool types (blends) to the dying, weaving and finishing processes. This passion and detail ensures the beautiful creative designs and concepts are embraced across the business to produce the finest, most beautiful inspiring carpets in the world.”

G ary

10 Passion, skill and a drive to be the very best. This is how we elevate ourselves above our competitors; they simply cannot replicate our centuries of knowledge, tradition and expertise.

11 WHY WOOL?

12 NATURALLY

Wool is a great natural insulator and also helps reduce noise which adds cosiness and warmth to a room. It’s naturally flame retardant and doesn’t melt like man-made fibres do. It’s also sustainable, renewable and biodegradable – this is as important to us as it is to our customers. It is highly absorbent Wool is nature’s own high-performance meaning that it can hold 33% of its own weight in water before it feels wet. This enables a wool carpet to help control fibre, offering durability, warmth, the humidity of a room. flexibility and reliability. The majority of the wool we use comes For allergy sufferers, a wool carpet or rug will actually help to from British sheep, which we cleanse the air of dust, airborne allergens and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). It is a common misconception that hard combine into specialist blends to suit floors are better for allergy sufferers – this means allergens each particular type of carpet. and dust can travel in the air which can make symptoms more pronounced. A 100% wool carpet in a room will help limit the impact of living with an allergy.

13 THE BENEFITS OF WOOL

Safe: With an ignition point of 570°C, wool is self-extinguishing and won’t melt.

Natural insulator: Wool releases heat slowly and is up to 17 times warmer than tiles.

Easy Care: The natural waxy coating repels stains and picks up less dust.

Cost-effective: Durable and can outperform synthetic carpet. Hygroscopic: Warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Hard wearing: Can be bent over 20,000 times without breaking and resists tearing.

Improves air quality: Naturally absorbs toxic VOCs of up to 300ppm over 24 hours.

Hypoallergenic: Purifying indoor air for up to 30 years. Acoustic: High performance reducing sound, surface noise and sound transmission.

14 THE ORIGINAL AND BEST.

THE TRUE AUTHENTIC SINCE 1755

15 CONTACTS

AXMINSTER Axminster Carpets Limited. Axminster, Devon. EX13 5PQ T: +44 (0)1297 32244 / 33533 E: [email protected] W: axminster-carpets.co.uk

PRESS OFFICE Brown Dog. 10 George Street, Nottingham. NG1 3BE T: +44 (0)1664 823 920 E: [email protected] W: brown-dog.co.uk