At Glencraft, craftsmanship, heritage and social purpose have been at the heart of our story since 1843. So, it was a particular pleasure to welcome Roger Stephenson, National President of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, and his wife Amanda to our Aberdeen workshop as part of their tour of Royal Warrant holders across Scotland.
Their visit provided an opportunity to share the story behind Glencraft, our handcrafted mattresses and the traditional skills that continue to shape the way we work today.
What Is a Royal Warrant?
A Royal Warrant is a mark of recognition granted to companies that have regularly supplied goods or services to a Grantee, a member of the British Royal Family, or a Royal household, reflecting the highest standards of quality, service and trust. We are proud to supply our handcrafted mattresses to the Balmoral Estate.
Our Royal Warrant has been part of the Glencraft story since 1996, when we were first appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2025, we were honoured to receive a new Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III.
Today, we are proud to be recognised as “By Appointment to His Majesty The King, Manufacturer of Beds and Mattresses.”
After more than 180 years of handcrafting mattresses in Aberdeen, this recognition remains a proud part of our heritage.
A Visit To Our Factory
Roger and Amanda were given a tour of our factory, where they had the opportunity to see our skilled team crafting mattresses by hand and learn more about the processes behind our luxury sleep products.
While manufacturing has changed considerably since Glencraft was established in 1843, many of the principles behind our craftsmanship remain the same. We believe in taking time to do things properly, using quality materials and valuing the skills and experience of the people who make every mattress.
This commitment to traditional craftsmanship is an important part of what makes a Glencraft mattress different.
Celebrating Aberdeen’s Social Enterprises
We also enjoyed lunch from fellow local social enterprise, The Bread Maker, giving us an opportunity to support another fantastic Aberdeen organisation and celebrate the strength of our local third sector.
As a social enterprise ourselves, we are proud to be part of a community of organisations using their work to create positive social impact. Our heritage is not simply about the products we make; it is also about the people, opportunities and purpose behind our organisation.
Generations of Knowledge
One of the highlights of the visit was hearing stories from Roger about his family business, Lock & Co. Hatters.
Recently celebrating an incredible 350 years of craftsmanship, Lock & Co. Hatters has an extraordinary history and is recognised as the oldest hat maker in the world.
Hearing about the generations of skill, knowledge and craftsmanship behind the business resonated strongly with us at Glencraft. Although we make very different products, there is a shared appreciation for quality, tradition and the importance of preserving specialist skills.
A Shared Heritage
There is something special about bringing together businesses with such deep roots in traditional craftsmanship.
From Lock & Co. Hatters’ 350-year history to Glencraft’s more than 180 years of mattress making, both businesses demonstrate how specialist skills can be carried forward through generations while continuing to evolve with the times.
Our Royal Warrant is another important part of that story. It represents a relationship with the Royal Household that has continued for almost three decades and reflects the care, quality and craftsmanship behind what we create.
Welcoming Roger and Amanda was more than a visit to our factory. It was an opportunity to share our Aberdeen story, celebrate Scottish craftsmanship and connect with another organisation with an extraordinary heritage.
Because while the world around us continues to change, there is something timeless about creating something well, by hand, with care and purpose.
At Glencraft, we are proud to continue the tradition of handcrafting luxury mattresses in Aberdeen with heritage, purpose and care.
Where sleep has soul.
Find out more about our history and why 1843 still matters.
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