HISTORY

Early Foundations
Late 1800’s / Early 1900’s

“The Harrison family heritage in the bathroom industry stretches back over a century. James Harrison’s great-grandfather worked alongside Thomas Crapper, producing the famous Britannia wood cistern with lead lining.

This early partnership laid the foundations of a family legacy in British bathroom manufacturing.”

1950s
Frederick Harrison, A Pioneer in Manufacturing

  • Frederick Harrison, together with Geoff Harrison, establishes Shires Ceramics in London.
  • Specialist producers of sanitaryware, they built a reputation for quality craftsmanship and reliable products.
  • This marked the beginning of the Shires Bathrooms story, embedding the Harrison name into the fabric of British bathroom innovation.

1969
David Harrison Expands the Family Legacy

  • David Harrison (Frederick’s son, father of James) establishes Harrison Brothers, a manufacturer and distributor of plumbing goods.
  • This bold step reflected the entrepreneurial spirit of the Harrison family, expanding the business and creating new opportunities in the West Yorkshire community.

1980s
Innovation & Growth

  • Harrison Brothers becomes one of the first UK companies to import BEMIS toilet seats from America.
  • Family relative Geoff Harrison co-founds Polypipe with Kevin McDonald, pioneering innovation in plastic plumbing systems.
  • In 1987, Harrison Brothers is sold to BEMIS and rebranded Cavalier Bemis.

1990s
Shires Moves to Bradford

  • Shires Bathrooms relocates from its original Guiseley base to Bradford, investing millions into a former TV factory with state-of-the-art bathroom manufacturing equipment.
  • This major move created 200 local jobs, cementing Shires as a key employer in West Yorkshire while expanding production capacity.