Our History

About WT Knowles and Sons

The company was founded in 1906 by Walter Thomas Knowles, becoming a limited company in 1926. Walter's sons joined the business in the 1920's and in the 1950's they took the reins. About this time, the third generation joined the company and they took control in the 1970's. Now the company is run by the fourth generation.

During World War 2, W T Knowles & Sons Ltd won many contracts with the MOD for draining airfields. Shortly after the war there were around eighty individual clay pipe manufacturers, today there are only three.

The company still has six down draught beehive kilns which produce both glazed and unglazed goods and employs a workforce of around 50 people. Many of the traditional moulding techniques are still being used today.

Why use clay?

Clay is a natural product, and as such it can return to the environment without harm. It is unaffected by most chemicals, it is inert and lasts for hundreds of years.

Clay pipes have been used for drainage for thousands of years but clay is also beneficial for chimney pots and flue liners. Clay is extremely resilient, resistant to rust, corrosion and is fireproof. Unlike metal, clay chimney pots and liners do not conduct electricity, so if lightening strikes, it is unlikely to facilitate damage to buildings