THE LEDGER: YOUR MASTER SOURCING LIST
For deep-dive journals of UK-makers, visit Maker Profiles. Here in The Master Ledger you’ll find our ever-expanding directory of UK makers with details on their origins, products and more.
These are short-form entries - distilled intelligence on heritage, provenance and why these brands deserve a place in your collection.
THE METALLIC WOOL COMPANY – Gillingham, Kent, England
The Heritage: Based in Gillingham, Kent, The Metallic Wool Company has been manufacturing and supplying UK-made steel and non-ferrous wools for over thirty-nine years. Operating out of their Bredgar Road facility, they supply everyone from leading national plumbing distributors to individual craftspeople, offering their own standard ranges alongside bespoke, plain-packaged and white-label manufacturing.
The Verdict: While wire (or steel) wool might seem like a generic consumable, proper grading and material selection are absolutely essential for restoration, preparation and trade work. The Metallic Wool Company manufactures an incredibly precise range, offering traditional steel wool in nine specific grades from ultra-fine 0000 to robust grade 5. Furthermore, they produce highly specialised non-ferrous alternatives, such as Type 434 Stainless Steel wool, which is completely rust-proof and widely used for pest control or exhaust repacking, as well as specialist copper wool designed for delicate pipe cleaning and high-proof distillation.
Core Products: Traditional steel wool rolls and pads in grades 0000 to 5, Type 434 stainless steel wool and specialist copper, brass and aluminium wools.
HILLBRUSH — Mere, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1922, Hillbrush represents over a century of British wooden brush-making expertise. A proud Royal Warrant holder to His Majesty The King, this family-owned business continues to manufacture their high-end goods from their UK workshop, passing down generational craftsmanship while embracing modern sustainability.
The Verdict: Hillbrush elevates the mundane tools of daily life into objects of true beauty and endurance. Rejecting plastics entirely for their heritage 'Natural' range, their makers select only sustainable, FSC-certified beechwood and centuries-old natural fibres like Tampico, boar bristle, and horsehair. A masterclass in functional elegance for the home.
Core Products: Premium wooden scrubbing brushes, sweeping brooms, clothes brushes, and grooming accessories. URL: https://www.hillbrush.com
Full Review in The Edit: Read it Here.