The story of Jim Lawrence began in 1994 at his Suffolk farm. Jim was busy rearing pigs and cows but it was clear that stock farming on such a small scale was not going to be profitable and Jim needed to find something else to do.
He decided to set up a forge in one of the farm buildings and experimented by making specialist metal pieces for friends and neighbours. From producing a small range of candlesticks and chandeliers that he sold at fairs and markets, he moved on to gates, railings and curtain poles.
From his customers reacations, he realised there was a demand for stylish, designer quality fixtures and fittings for the home, made with natural materials.
Following the company's first substantial order making park fencing for a local farmer, Jim was able to expand, refurbishing farm buildings and employing more people to start selling by mail order. By 2000 Jim Lawrence had expanded to such a degree that Jim knew he had to move. The business had outgrown the farm buildings it was housed in and customers, staff and delivery men struggled daily down a bumpy farm track to find it.
Since most of the staff came from the nearby market town of Hadleigh, in 2008 Jim moved the company there, taking over an empty bottling factory on the outskirts of town that came with lots of room for workshops, offices and a warehouse.