Showcasing Whiteley and its history at our factory open day
We were thrilled to recently open the doors of our Sheffield factory for a special open day, welcoming friends, family, and content creators for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how Whiteley scissors are made.
The event also marked a proud moment for us, as we showcased our newly relaunched brand – a celebration of our 265th year in operation and a reflection of our commitment to both heritage and innovation on the global stage.
How the day went down
Guests were welcomed with mimosas (fancy Bucks Fizz), prosecco and orange juice on arrival, before our Sales & Marketing Manager, Jade Shemwell, introduced the story of Whiteley – from our founding in 1760 to where we stand today as one of the last remaining scissor manufacturers in Sheffield. we showcased some of the historical scissors we have on display, with some dating all the way back to the 19th century!
We also showed off the special edition 12โณ Classic Tailorโs Shears, created in support of YWCA Yorkshire. The scissor handles are finished in YWCA Yorkshireโs iconic purple, have a gold-plated bolt and are stamped with the Whiteley crest and laser-engraved with the YWCA logo. Theyโre also stamped 1-of-1 using an original Pryor hand-stamp set from our archives, a small but meaningful connection to our past. You can purchase a raffle ticket to be in with a chance of winning them here.
Following the showcase, guests were taken on a factory tour, where they experienced the traditional processes behind scissor-making first-hand. From bow-dressing and polishing to final assembly and jappaning, our team demonstrated the skill and care that goes into every pair.
It was a true celebration of heritage and a chance to show the age-old techniques passed down through generations of Sheffield craftsmen.
Take a look behind-the-scenes
Interested in seeing how the day looked? Check out the video of the day below and see for yourself the incredible effort which goes into making each pair of Whiteley scissors.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us. We loved sharing our story, our craft, and our future with you.
It was a pleasure to welcome family, friends, and supporters of Whiteley to the event, offering a chance to meet our team and gain a deeper insight into the craftsmanship behind every pair of scissors we produce.
It was also great to welcome Izzy from IzzoSew Studio a talented sewing instructor based in Sheffield and a long-time Whiteley fan, who regularly uses our scissors at her sewing retreats.
And it was an incredible effort from Naida Evans, aka NaidasLoves, a brilliant content creator and designer who travelled all the way from Eastbourne to join us. Naida is known for her beautiful upcycled and thrifted creations.
Both were excited to see how the products they use every day are made and to learn more about the rich history behind our designs.
We also welcomed another local representative in Jane Summers, the owner of The Famous Sheffield Shop, a local business which has specialised in promoting the Sheffield-made goods for over 40 years. The shop has been a proud supporter of Whiteley, helping share our products with customers who value true craftsmanship.
And of course, a huge thank you to our marketing partners, Fantastic, for joining us on the day. They were instrumental in our recent rebrand, helping us return to our heritage roots while positioning the Whiteley brand for a strong future.