Emmerich History

EMIR, began life in 1932, quickly earning a reputation for the craftsmanship that went into its range of wooden planes and other quality hand tools.

The name had been associated with hand-tool manufacture since 1852, when manufacturing began in the town of Remscheid, Germany. The Bermondsey, London, workshop was established by Friedrich Wilhelm Emmerich.

In addition to tools, the Bermondsey Company manufactured a simple, general-purpose craft bench and over the following 70 plus years, EMIR has manufactured thousands of benches for schools and colleges throughout the UK and for some 40 other countries.

EMIR range

The EMIR range of benches for education is rooted in a design, which uses interchangeable hardwood components that can be drawbolted together in different combinations. The tops feature the characteristic EMIR brace end that ensures flatness.

As production increased, the Company responded to the demands of the network of Educational Advisers, for ever higher quality by installing timber drying kilns and new machinery and in 1966 moved to purpose-built premises at Ashford in Kent where they are based today.

During the 1980s the educational emphasis switched to Design and Technology, workshop space became more precious and EMIR took a significant step forward with the introduction of the Square Bench concept which allows users to maximise use of floor space, the adaptability, meeting ever more challenging budgetary constraints.

Ashford, Kent

On moving to Ashford, Kent (40 years ago) the manufacture of wooden planes and tool chests was discontinued. The spare woodworking capacity was transferred to making a wider range of mitring tools and other craft equipment – in 1980 the long established firm of Harris Looms was taken over. Its range of handweaving sample looms was computerised to serve a more sophisticated textile design market.

A polyurethane plant was installed and the EMIR lightweight Floats and Hawks were introduced, now the tool favoured by plasterers throughout the UK.

Today, after over 70 years of trading from the UK, EMIR has gained a world-wide reputation as engineers and manufacturers in wood and urethane, with a product range that includes Workbenches, Handtools, Harris Looms and Storage Cupboards.

Further information

Please contact our present Managing Director, Mr Stephen Rowe.