Andrew Reynolds talks to Design Insider

In this interview with Design Insider, Andrew describes Curtis’s beginnings in Leeds over 25 years ago and its development into a company known for quality and bespoke hotel furniture. 

Could you tell me about the heritage of Curtis?

Curtis have been making furniture for UK hotels, here in Leeds, for over 25 years. Our first client was Thistle hotels and we still work with, what is now the Clermont Hotel Group, today. We moved to our current factory almost 10 years ago and in that period we have extended the size of our production facility three times.

What sets Curtis apart in the commercial sector?

• We manufacture our furniture here in Leeds and have the facilities to do every process in house. From veneering & drilling to polishing we can not only maintain a tight grip on costs but essentially we control our quality. Curtis also have a team of project managers who are responsible for looking after the client and their project from point of order. So when those unavoidable changes or unforeseen events happen during the build or fit-out process, we provide the client with a point of contact to help manage the issues. 
• Making lovely furniture is only half the story. Sites are critical and, recognising this, Curtis employ their own team of installation managers who are physically on site to ensure that both the distribution and installation of the furniture goes to plan. We also recognise that the fit out of a new hotel or the refurbishment of an existing hotel is a team event. Our installation managers ensure that our installation teams work in tandem with the contractors, their site managers and the other trades.

Could you talk me through 3 key projects you’ve supplied?

• Curtis are currently on site at the Marriott Hotel at Manchester Gateway where we are manufacturing and installing 350 bedrooms. Curtis worked closely with the client and their design team in developing a unique metal framed open wardrobe system which complements the hand stained slip matched oak veneers throughout the room. We are really pleased to be working for this client for the fourth time.
• We were selected to manufacture and install the bedroom furniture for HGI Lancashire Cricket Club following the client’s visit to our factory. The client’s team were able to see our full production capabilities and also visit the full size mock up room here in our building. Curtis have worked closely with Hilton for the last three years to develop the new bedrooms for Hilton brands: Hampton, HGI, Motto and the new Home 2. The result is four beautiful full scale bedroom and bathroom mock up rooms here in our factory.
• The owners of The Other House in South Kensington searched extensively for the right furniture partners for their first hospitality venture. They had developed an upscale, design led, aparthotel concept and the execution of the furniture was critical to delivering this vision. Due to their commitment to sustainability, the client was looking for an established UK manufacturer, who could not only deliver on the scale of their project, but could also support their design team in the development and prototyping of the unique pieces. We are delighted to have manufacture not only the bedroom furniture but also the kitchens, screening, sofas and chairs for the 236 room project.

How do you develop your products?

Whilst virtually every project we do is for bespoke furniture there are often key themes that run through the furniture. Upon receipt of the client’s instruction we come together as a team to launch the project and discuss each individual piece in detail. With representatives from production, design, sales, purchasing and project management in the meeting we typically have over 50 years of knowledge around that table.

What does the future hold for Curtis?

25 years in and we are more excited than ever. Our business has grown over these years on the back of one principle: Look after the clients and they will return. Our new brochure is littered with photos of projects that we are doing for long established clients, many of whom have come to Curtis more than 10 times for their furniture.