An Essex family business with a remarkable history is preparing for its next phase of international growth after securing funding from Allica Bank.
Kirwin & Simpson Seating began life at the end of the Second World War, when its founder had an unlikely lightbulb moment involving a conversation in an Essex pub, a struggling local cinema and a stockpile of unwanted wartime parachutes.
Four generations later, the family business has grown from repairing local cinema seating into a specialist manufacturer supplying bespoke theatre seating to venues across the West End, Broadway, the US, Australia, Singapore and mainland Europe.
At a Royal Film Performance in 1989, left to right: Bill Simpson, Annabelle Simpson, Andrew Simpson, Andrew’s wife Tina Simpson, Alastair Simpson, Alastair’s wife Joanne Simpson, Anne Simpson, Alan Harris Quelch | The Royal Box created the Odeon on Leicester Square
The story began when Bernard Simpson, grandfather of the company’s current joint Managing Directors, was sitting in an Essex pub next to the manager of a local cinema, who was complaining that his seats were falling apart. Nearby, an American GI was explaining that large quantities of parachute bags left behind by the US military were destined for the dump. Having previously run a factory making car seats for Ford, Bernard saw an opportunity to bring the two problems together, using the parachute material to create new covers for the cinema seats.
Along with Patrick Kirwin, who had been invalided out of the RAF, Bernard formed a partnership that carries the name to this day, laying the foundations for what would become a four-generation family business.
Seating in the Royal Theatre, Drury Lane
Managing Director, Alastair Simpson, said: “It’s incredible to think that something which started with a conversation in a pub and a pile of unwanted parachute bags has grown into a 45-strong business supplying theatres all over the world. But despite that growth and our international reach, we’re still very much a family business. I am joint MD with my brother Andrew and you can still call Kirwin & Simpson today and expect to hear a Simpson answer the phone! Four generations on, that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Newspaper cutting, right hand side imagery depicts Bill and Anne Simpson selecting Royal Box fabrics
The family’s reputation for highly bespoke work has seen it build relationships with some of the biggest names in theatre, including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Its ability to create almost any style of chair is central to its success. A 600-seat theatre, for example, can require as many as 20 different types of chairs depending on its layout, sightlines and spacing.
“Unique jobs are our skill set,” said Ian Moore, who joined the business around a decade ago when owners Alistair and Andrew were looking to expand beyond its London-centric roots.
Ian was initially brought in to develop a succession plan but quickly became more involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, bringing fresh ideas and support to areas including project management, new material and product development, recruitment and systems. Since then, the business has significantly expanded both its geographical reach and product range.
Now turning over around £4 million, Kirwin & Simpson is looking to build on this growth with investment in its Essex operation, alongside plans to establish a manufacturing presence in North America.
Around £75,000 of the funding from Allica Bank will be invested in the company’s site in Grays, upgrading the premises and purchasing new, more energy-efficient and productive machinery. The business currently employs 45 people and is looking to expand its installation and production teams as it grows.
The family firm currently works with partners in the US but wants to build on these relationships as it establishes a greater manufacturing presence there. Initially, this will involve partnerships with US manufacturers, particularly in Texas, where lower energy costs could support the manufacture of metal components. The business also plans to explore US foam manufacturing through existing companies looking to grow, with a longer-term ambition of establishing its own upholstery and installation teams in the US. “As well as being cost effective on a part-by-part basis, having US manufacturing helps reduce tariff and shipping charges. It also helps as a growing number of US projects are demanding 20%, 30% and even 50% US Made materials” added William Simpson, Sales & Marketing Director.
It was this ambition to grow that led Kirwin & Simpson to Allica Bank.
“We were very disappointed with the service we were getting from mainstream banks,” said Alexander Simpson. Group FD. “We couldn’t even get a response from them. We were convinced that Allica would be hands-on – and they are. I can’t speak more highly of Greg, our relationship manager.”
