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Entaco - Heritage and Innovation

History of Entaco and Needle Making

The first tool for sewing was probably no more than a flint or bone awl, or just a thorn with which clothes were made up from skins for the protection of man's body. Eventually, at around 100BC came the iron needle.

The first evidence of needle making in its more conventional form was to be found in various monasteries and ecclesiastical centres throughout the country. Bordesley Abbey, founded in 1156, about a mile north of Redditch, was probably the earliest foothold of this industry in the Redditch area.

The Abbey surrended to King Henry VIII when the monasteries were dissolved in 1538, but it is presumed that most of the monks continued to ply their craft in the neighbourhood.

Photograph of Bordesley Abbey
Photograph of a selection of needles

Meanwhile, needle making was also becoming established in London. Old maps show Needlers Lane and Threadneedle Street and workshops were set up on London Bridge. In 1656 a charter of incorporation was granted to the trade by Oliver Cromwell and confirmed eight years later by Charles II.

After the Great Fire of London in 1666 many of the craftsmen dispersed and a number of them settled in Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire, where they became renowned for making sail, pack, upholstery and sugeon's needles. Gradually they migrated to Redditch.

In the Redditch district needle making has continued as the staple industry years. In 1950 the new Entaco factory was opened in Studley, a few miles south of Redditch, and from it millions of needles are exported each week, well known to needle workers throughout the world.

To learn more about the history of needle making, please click the following link: Forge Mill Needle Museum.

How needles are made

Manufacture process
  1. The raw material is high quality steel coil which is drawn down to the required size.
  2. From the coils the wire is straightened and cut to the length of two needles.
  3. Each length of wire is pointed at both ends.
  4. Pairs of matching dies stamp the eye impression in the centre of the wire.
  5. A hole is punched through the two eyes at the centre.
  6. The wires are broken into two seperate needles.
  7. The waste metal around the sides of the eye is clipped or ground off.
  8. The waste metal from the top of the eye is clipped or ground off.
  9. So far the wire has been soft, but it is now hardened.
  10. It is tempered to ensure the correct amount of spring in each needle.
  11. The needle is scoured which both cleans it, makes it completely smooth and highly polished.
  12. The needles are usually nickel plated unless a special coating or finish is required.

Finally every single needle is inspected by eye before being packaged for sale.