Family-owned cutlery firm reaches 123 years milestone

Historic Lichfield-headquartered cutlery brand Arthur Price is celebrating 123 years in business this week.

On 3 October 1902 Arthur Price started his own cutlery firm in Aston, Birmingham using a small gas engine to cast nickel silver ingots because he had no electricity. 

 New CEO James Price, the fifth generation of the Price family to take the helm, and his father Simon, who recently moved to the position as chairman, have been looking back through the company's archives to mark the milestone.

They found many changes in cutlery, manufacturing and society - concluding that adapting to change is the biggest reason the company has enjoyed such longevity.

The original set of minute books show the company had prospered and was working nationwide by the time it was awarded the contract to supply the Titanic.

In a crowded marketplace innovation was key to business development – in the 1930s when Arthur’s sons Arthur Jnr and Frederick took over the business the company was using chromium plate, the forerunner to stainless steel.

After the second world war, many manufacturers who had previously been driven by what they could produce, became more consumer-focused and the company grew into a world-wide exporter with the key selling point being the Britishness of the brand.

Then in 1948 saw John Price, Frederick’s son join the business after serving in the army.

After opening a factory in Sheffield in the 1950s, the company repositioned itself as the maker of the finest cutlery supplying top hotels, cruise ships and airlines.

In 1976, it exclusively produced cutlery for the supersonic aeroplane Concorde.

In 1977, it was granted a Royal Warrant by Her the late Queen Elizabeth II and also received another from HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, in 1988.

As times and tastes have changed over the years the company adapted again.

It still adorns the tables at the finest restaurants and hotels, indeed this is the fastest growing division of the company at the moment.

But it has also expanded its range to include everyday items which has led to significant expansion across the globe. 

The Birmingham and Sheffield factories still produce the finest cutlery and holloware while the Lichfield headquarters is the centre for sales, distribution and administration.

The Arthur Price Factory Shop in Lichfield is the location of the UK’s biggest cutlery shop.

James Price said: “It’s humbling and fascinating to look back through our archives. I wish we had more.

“Knowing where you come helps you understand where you need to go. 

“One day, I hope to show everything to my two young sons, George and Alfred and tell them all the tales from the Arthur Price table.”

Simon said: “There’s a line in the Jackson 5 song, ‘it’s easy as 123’. I think we can safely say it hasn’t always been easy, but I am very proud to play my little part in our company’s history.  

“We’ve been through world wars, pandemics and huge industrial and societal change.

“To survive and sometimes thrive across 123 years, I think David Bowie’s song ‘Changes’ is more appropriate.”

Pictured: James and Simon Price