The Factory, a new digital manufacturing space run by arts charity Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), has been recognised for its contribution to training and manufacturing in Bristol.
The work of its young craftsmen and women was celebrated at a ceremony at the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House when the Guild of Guardians presented its prestigious Alfred Telling Award to The Factory.
The annual award provides a bursary of £1,500 for an entrepreneur starting their own business in a manual trade in the Bristol area.
The Factory was nominated by BRAVE, a not-for-profit business support organisation that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs start and run successful ventures.
Located in Knowle West, an area where satisfaction with local jobs is very low – just 12% in the last Bristol City Council Quality of Life survey (2013) – KWMC: The Factory aims to bring together artists, makers and local people and open up access to digital manufacturing technologies, such as CNC machines and laser cutters.
From two units at the new Filwood Green Business Park, KWMC: The Factory manufactures a range of products from recycled and sustainable materials and provides in-demand skills training for volunteers, businesses and schools. It also connects with other creative centres in the city, such as Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio, to assist in the prototyping and development of new products.
The enterprise developed out of a pilot scheme run by KWMC and local charity re:work from the empty Eagle House Youth Centre in Knowle West. Between October 2014 and May 2015 their pop-up enterprise produced nearly 500 pieces of furniture to kit out Filwood Green Business Park, in a commission from building contractors MIDAS and Bristol City Council.
This summer KWMC moved manufacturing activity into Filwood Green Business Park and KWMC: The Factory was born. To date, they have provided 40 people with training in using digital manufacturing equipment.
BRAVE director Liz Sands said: “We are delighted to have nominated KWMC: The Factory for this prestigious award. It’s a very deserving winner and we have followed its development closely from the beginning. We hope this award helps to raise the profile of KWMC: The Factory and its cutting-edge digital manufacturing techniques and training.”
KWMC business development manager Justin Ricks added: “We’re delighted to receive the Alfred Telling Award for our inclusive and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing.
“Digital fabrication is fundamentally changing the way people make things – and we want to ensure that these technologies are available to the many, not just the few, and that they can be utilised to make things that are sustainable, attractive and innovative. The award from the Guild of Guardians will enable us to purchase more equipment for use by volunteer groups who come to us for training.”
Pictured, from left: Vicky Beckwith, CEO of re:work; Tom Barnes, KWMC’s Digital Fabrication Technician; Justin Ricks, KWMC’s Business Development Manager; the Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Clare Campion-Smith; Liz Sands of BRAVE; Carolyn Hassan, KWMC director; and Nigel Hardy, The Master of the Guild of Guardians
