Luxury shower manufacturer Kanth and its long-standing supplier Smith Metal Centres have joined together to form Kanth Manufacturing and open a UK factory.

Following a dissolved agreement with its previous distributor, Kanth has received financial backing and support from Smiths Metal Centres to open the manufacturing facility in Shropshire.

The 10,000sqft Operations Hub in Shropshire features CNC precision machines able to transform a solid piece of pure brass ingot into a finished shower product.

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Alongside the in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, the site also houses dedicated sales, distribution, assembly and customer service teams.

Founder and innovator at Kanth, Karl Kanth added: “We’re delighted to form this new partnership with Smiths Metal Centres, a company with which I’ve had a long and positive relationship with over the last 15 years.

“My vision for the brand has been clear from the outset — to produce exceptional shower systems which are truly built to last, by using only the highest quality raw materials, precision machining, British resources, and timeless designs.

“Working with a distributor who didn’t share this vision has proved difficult over the last few years, so I made the decision to part ways.

“But Smiths Metal Centres perfectly understood the principle-led approach we were taking and the potential in the sustainable luxury market.

“They operate in a non-bathroom sector too, so they have a very fresh and non-traditional approach which wholeheartedly supports our continuous drive to innovate.”

Kanth Manufacturing offers a 53-strong product range including shower heads, body jets, basin and bath taps, slide rails and handsets.

It sells these solid brass, luxury products to interior designers, architects, installers and specifiers

Karl Kanth added: “Every single product we create has a firm place in our range.”

He added. “And thanks to our partnership with Smiths Metal Centres — which shares every ounce of our ethical philosophy and principles — we’ve opened a British manufacturing site to support our mission for creating timeless, long-lasting, and quality brass products.”

General Manager at Kanth Manufacturing Mark Winsper said: “The opening of our new site has not only allowed us the opportunity to streamline and optimise communications across departments, but for everyone to see and feel what we’re creating is what it truly means to be a manufacturer.

“I strongly believe onshore manufacturing is fundamental to a sustainable manufacturing strategy, and by keeping our operations as close to the customer base we’re not only minimising the distance our products travel, but are sustaining the local economy we supply to through job creation and taxes.

“We can create bespoke designs and have complete control over our stock levels.

“This is significant because we can still handle large contract orders, but we’re reducing any unnecessary waste as a result of over-production.

“What I love about this new approach is that we can grow quickly to meet the demand and utilise emerging advanced technology to boost productivity and minimise waste.”