Curteis has always been a family owned and operated company. It started life at Plas Yolyn, a mansion house on a farm in deepest Shropshire. The Yolyn family is first recorded as residing there in the 11th century.
Plas Yolyn was passed down many times before it was inherited by Roger Curteis who farmed the land for 20 years before selling off his animals in search of a less demanding life. His son Henry had started selling jewellery to retailers and Roger wondered if he could make some things to supply to the shops. When by chance he saw a picture of a chain making machine he was intrigued and he decided to spend the cow money and buy one.
Roger purchased his first chain-making machine in 1975 and employed his engineering skills to make jewellery in the attics of the house.
Starting as a hobby, events took over as demand for Roger’s jewellery grew especially when Henry moved back to Shropshire giving up his buying and selling activities in London. Soon there were more than twenty machines in the house. By 1990, Curteis had a turnover of £2.5 million and a need to find new premises.
The company won the UK Jewellery Manufacturer of the Year Award in 1995 and 2022 and has been a frequent finalist since then.
By 2000, the company was a recognised leader in British jewellery making, with 40,000 square feet of dedicated factory space. In the 1992 recession, the business bought up machinery from other companies closing down both in the UK and the US.
Coming from small beginnings, Curteis grew by providing the best quality and service available to retailers whose customers wanted products that lasted a lifetime. Today its strengths lie in price competition, innovative design and excellent customer relationships.
The proud tradition continues...
The full story can be read in Henry's autobiography which is available from the company, or from Amazon as an electronic book.
Angels & Devils. My Extraordinary Life. Published by Shrewsbury Publications.