Arthur Price, the well known British cutlery brand with its headquarters in Lichfield, has reached the remarkable milestone of 123 years in business. The story began on 3 October 1902 when founder Arthur Price set up his own cutlery firm in Aston, Birmingham. With no electricity available, he relied on a small gas engine to cast nickel silver ingots, laying the foundations of a company that would go on to become a household name.
Today the business is led by James Price, the fifth generation of the family to take the helm as CEO, with his father Simon recently moving to the position of Chairman. Together they have looked back through the archives and reflected on the company’s journey, concluding that the ability to adapt to change has been the key to its longevity.
The original minute books show that by the early years of the twentieth century the company was already prospering nationwide and went on to secure the prestigious contract to supply cutlery to RMS Titanic. Innovation was central to its growth. When Arthur’s sons Arthur Junior and Frederick took over in the 1930s, they adopted chromium plate, the forerunner to stainless steel, keeping the business at the forefront of manufacturing.
After the Second World War the company, like much of British industry, shifted from being driven by what could be produced to being more consumer focused. Arthur Price grew into a worldwide exporter with the Britishness of the brand a strong selling point. In 1948 Frederick’s son John Price joined after serving in the army, taking the business into its next chapter.
It is humbling and fascinating to look back through our archives. I wish we had more. Knowing where you come from helps you understand where you need to go. One day I hope to show everything to my two young sons, George and Alfred, and tell them the tales from the Arthur Price table. – James Price, CEO
The 1950s brought a new factory in Sheffield and a repositioning as the maker of the finest cutlery for top hotels, cruise ships and airlines. In 1976 the company exclusively produced cutlery for Concorde, and in the following years it received Royal recognition. A Royal Warrant was granted by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 and another by HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, in 1988.
As times and tastes have changed, Arthur Price has continued to evolve. Its products still grace the tables of leading restaurants and hotels, with hospitality now the fastest growing division of the business. At the same time the company has expanded its range to include everyday items, helping fuel significant global expansion.
Manufacturing remains rooted in Birmingham and Sheffield, while the Lichfield headquarters is the centre for sales, distribution and administration. The Arthur Price Factory Shop in Lichfield is home to the UK’s largest cutlery store, serving local customers as well as visitors from across the country.
There’s a line in the Jackson 5 song, ‘it’s easy as 123’. I think we can safely say it hasn’t always been easy, but I am very proud to play my part in our company’s history. We’ve been through world wars, pandemics and huge industrial and societal change. To survive and sometimes thrive across 123 years is testament to our willingness to embrace change. Perhaps David Bowie’s ‘Changes’ is the more appropriate soundtrack. – Simon Price, Chairman
For more information visit www.arthurprice.com.
On a personal note, everyone at Lichfield Radio would like to thank the Price family for their generous support of the station as lead sponsor. Simon and James have shown how the family’s vision has carried through the generations, and we are grateful for their encouragement as we build a new voice for our community.
