HEAVYSIDE LEADING T
he Environmental and Social Value Certification, awarded to architectural terracotta supplier Darwen Terracotta by Made in Britain, showcases its commitment to creating sustainable, environmentally responsible, and socially conscious products. The manufacturer is hoping the certification will send a signal to others in the industry, encouraging them to also put sustainability at the heart of their operations. The company was founded in 2015, when another Lancashire based manufacturer folded its architectural terracotta division, making around 40 people redundant. Two former employees, Jon Wilson and Steve Allen, set up Darwen Terracotta to continue their work, re-employing most of the skilled crafts people and their former colleagues. Marketing manager, Simona Weldon, says: “Today we are the only British-owned producer of architectural terracotta in the UK and the world’s third leader in terracotta, the other two key players are in the United States.
“The company joined Made in Britain right from the start. To us, it represents more than the label or a trademark. It’s a mark of credibility and accountability.”
The ESV Certification, developed by Made in Britain in collaboration with MAP UK & International, is aligned with the UK Government’s Social Value Model (2025) and the Procurement Act 2023. It allows organisations to practically demonstrate their environmental and social value credentials, helping them gain a new commercial edge in a highly competitive market. Weldon continues: “Sustainability is a core principle at Darwen Terracotta and achieving the ESV Certification has further strengthened our credibility in this area - underpinning our commitment to responsible manufacturing. “Beyond this, the certification reinforces our mission to lead by example and encourage others in the sector to act towards a more sustainable
BY EXAMPLE
Oliver Stanley talks to architectural terracotta supplier Darwen Terracotta, about its new ESV Certification.
The business is an active patron of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone, a community charity which offers a state-of-the-art facility so young people have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. It also engages with schools and conservation bodies, and fosters a safe, inclusive workplace.
Weldon says that the ESV Certification will support the business on its journey towards “continuous improvement in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and innovation” and by sharing its practices and achievements, it hopes to “inspire others in the industry to join us in creating a more sustainable future.”
Attaining ESV
future. It represents a small but meaningful step in the right direction, and one that helps drive collective action. We believe that by leading by example, we can inspire more businesses within the industry to join forces in reducing their carbon footprint - making sustainability not just an individual goal, but a shared responsibility for the next generation.”
Adapting for sustainability Architectural terracotta has a history dating thousands of years. The material has not changed, and the company has continued to rely on locally sourced materials, gradually integrating digital tools like 3D spanning, digital sculpting, CNC, robotic production assists, into different parts of the manufacturing process.
Weldon adds: “Darwen Terracotta prioritises responsible sourcing, energy efficiency, waste reduction and water conservation by using LED lighting, reusable packaging and recycling materials such as clay, plaster and polystyrene. It is also in the process of calculating the life- cycle assessment of its products to obtain the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). “These adaptations reduce waste and make the manufacturing process more energy efficient, while still preserving the hand finished quality required in restoration work.”
May 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
“For us, getting this certification was a very straightforward choice,” she adds. “When they launched the ESV certificate, we were already in the process of calculating our products life cycle assessment to obtain an environmental product declaration. I would probably say the main challenge was the time. The company had already been making continuous improvements to become more energy efficient, to operate more responsibly, both for environmental and commercial reasons. But without formally promoting it. The ESV process was largely about gathering evidence of what we already had in place. However, like most of the businesses, there are always more improvements planned, and limited time to implement and document everything alongside to daily operations. For us I would say ESV came when we needed it most. And it was a very easy, 15-to-20-minute process. “We are now in the final stage of completing our life cycle assessment, which would further enhance what we have implemented so far. These certifications are basically acting to encourage the companies to do their bit for the environment and within the community. We are trying to offer sustainable products to leave something for future generations, and hopefully through leading by example, we can encourage other companies, small or big, to do something from their side as well.” BMJ
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