ONE of Birmingham’s oldest manufacturers has posted improved full year turnover but warned that its markets remain challenging.

Jewellery and civic regalia firm Toye & Co said turnover for the year ended December 31, 2012 amounted to £8,936,996 compared to £7,981,006 for the previous year. The increase was due to the delivery of a contract to supply the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in collaboration with two other Jewellery Quarter firms.

Trading conditions in the firm’s traditional markets continue to be difficult, it said. Worldwide economic conditions and social disturbances in some countries have impacted export sales.

Export revenue was £1,680,764, down compared to £1,870,949 the previous year. This was said to be due to the scheduling of deliveries on a large contract where the firm reverted to supply at maintenance levels having delivered the initial bulk quantities in 2011.

Nevertheless, the firm worked on some high profile projects during the year including one on the restoration of the Kremlin. This has been successfully completed and led to a follow-on contract.

Gross profits improved in the Fraternal and Metals segments, in textiles it fell slightly as customers demanded more competitive pricing.

The demands forced the firm to cut costs by implementing redundancies, cutting working hours, selling off several assets and looking at reducing loss-making lines.

Despite the difficulties, the company made a pre-tax profit of £453,872; the Diamond Jubilee contract being a key contributor to this.

Chief executive Fiona Toye said: “The on-going economic recession continues to influence all our markets in the UK and overseas. Buyers are cautious and lacking in confidence. They want the lowest possible price, but are slow to make the decision to order, which has resulted in reduced lead-times for manufacture.

“Customers’ demands are increasing in terms of pre-order design and sampling work, rightly setting the service of one supplier against another. This adds to our origination costs before we have even won an order.

“Even in our comparatively niche market areas there is increasing global competition. We are all vying for reduced custom. Success will depend on our ability to manage our operating costs and maintain and even expand our operating capabilities. Formidable challenges for a labour intensive traditional craft business.”

Stop by and see Toye, Kenning & Spencer at the 2013 Security & Policing Exhibition at the FIVE (Farnborough International Venue & Events) on March 12th - March 14th. We will be based on stand A5.

There are newspaper cuttings hanging on the wall of the ribbon making room in Toye, Kenning & Spencer‘s metal manufacturing factory in the Jewellery Quarter. They are of Gary Barlow, Kate Winslett and other famous people holding up their OBE and CBE awards with pride.  I wonder who will get the one I saw being made when I went for a ‘behind the scenes’ tour on Wednesday?

Established in 1685 the Toyé family business  has been going for more than three centuries, through fifteen reigns and holds a Royal Warrant where they are suppliers of Gold and Silver laces, Insignia and Embroidery to Her Majesty The Queen.  They are also suppliers to the English FA for medals and trophies.  Find out more about the  history of this family business, which is one of the oldest family businesses in the world! From time to time you can arrange a group guided tour by appointment and leave a donation to their chosen charity. Highly recommended!

I admit I didn’t really know about Toye, Kenning & Spencer in the Jewellery Quarter until a couple of months ago; when John, one of their tool makers, came on a candle-lit tour of The Coffin Works. He introduced us to the lovely Christine who invited BCT’s Director Simon Buteux, myself and Paul from Birmingham Civic Society to have a tour of the factory. What an amazing morning we had meeting the craftsmen, seeing some of the same original machinery we have at The Coffin Works actually being used in modern production still today.

I think I finally understand the metal manufacturing processes that would have been used at Newman Brothers and the level of skill required to operate that machinery. Amongst other things I’ve learnt that you ’sink the dies’. ‘lay in’ enamel and that a Die Sinker’s friend is a wire brush!

Christine has kindly agreed that we can do some filming there this year for our own interpretation of The Coffin Works. There is no doubt that understanding how things are made is easier when you can actually see them being made!

Their collection of dies is huge – over 250,000! There are  shelves and shelves and then another room of shelves and shelves of  dies for all different badges, medals, buttons, trophies.

They maintain the same cataloging system of record cards today that they always have. Here are a few pins that caught my eye…

A huge thank you to Christine Cushing, Mick Puusta, Khush Sidhu and Jim Baker and the rest of the friendly, welcoming workforce for giving me another reason to say –I have a great job!

Written by Suzanne Carter and taken from The Birmingham Conservation.

Midlands-based Toye & Co has entered into an agreement with Stability Investments regarding the development and future sale of its London property.  The company will immediately receive a significant cash injection and two new directors are being appointed to the board.

Toye & Co has exceptional manufacturing craft skills and a reputation for producing products of the very highest quality.  As a consequence of this deal, the company is now able to build on this base and invest in its Midlands operations to improve efficiency and enhance the service it provides to its customers.

“This is an exciting development for us, heralding a new era for the company” said Chief Executive Fiona Toye.  “In exchange for a large London facility that no longer suits our needs we now have both the resources to invest and innovate for the long term future of the business and new expertise on our board.  This is an excellent platform from which we can look forward to our next three centuries in business.”

The two new board members are Robert Luck and Robin Edwards.  Birmingham-born Robert Luck has property and design expertise and will provide new contacts within one of Toye & Co’s most important markets.  Robin Edwards has both financial and marketing expertise and both have a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the company’s craft skills.

Toye & Co’s very large property on Great Queen Street is greatly under utilised and so it is no longer sensible to maintain this facility. The company is retaining its shop and the Clubroom at Toye for the immediate future so customers can easily visit and purchase products as usual.  Purchases may also be made online at www.thetoyeshop.com.  The company is in the process of developing a business plan that includes the best way to serve the London markets.

For more information contact Cathy Connan on cathy@cathyconnan.com or 07976 669089.

Following on from my discovery of a Gold Fairfield Hospital Nursing Award, I was amazed to get an e-mail from Declan McHale BA (Hons) Marketing Coordinator of Toye, Kenning and Spencer, the original manufacturer of the award.

Declan  emailed to say :

After “Googling” Toye, Kenning & Spencer which I do on a daily basis to see what has been put online to do with our company, your website (www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk) came up with the information of the Fairfield Hospital Badge. After reading through the information on your website, I went to go and look through our record cards that we have (and there are millions) I sifted through the “F’s” and came across Fairfield Bowling Club and then the Fairfield Hospital.I have records of the badge dating back to 25th May 1965, also we have a die number which would be stored downstairs in our Jewellery Quarter Factory, in Birmingham. If you would like me to take any photographs of the information / badge die I have, please do not hesitate to contact me.

You can imagine my excitment to receive Declans e.mail and replied strait away!
A few days went by then these fantastic and historic photographs came through taken by Declan himself.

I can not thank Declan enough for taking the time and effort to take and send these photographs and for the research he has done for me.
Photos provided by Declan McHale, Marketing Coordinator. www.toye.com

Please  Click On The Picture To View Declan’s Photographs.

Until now many of the special threads we read about haven’t been available to us without paying duty. This is frustrating since many of them are produced here in Europe only to be imported exclusively to the USA . If we want to obtain one of these beautiful, historic threads, those of us who live and work in Europe then must order it from a supplier in the USA.

That supplier then sends the threads to us in the post. As those little packages of thread produced here but distributed by an American firm come into Europe, they arrive at the “Zollamt” (Customs and Excise Office) here in Germany (or whatever it’s called where you live) and we are asked to pay tax on that thread  as it returns to Europe where it was manufactured in the first place. It’s frustrating since by then the cost of these beautiful threads then becomes prohibitive for those of us living here in Europe.

Thankfully, the English firm Benton and Johnson is now manufacturing silk wrapped purl right here in Europe! Neil Halford of Benton and Johnson sent me some samples just before the holidays and the thread is just lovely. Below are just a few of the colors he sent along for me to see.

Purl is a metal thread that is spun into a tubular shape. Usually it’s gold or silver or sometimes other metals such as copper. Silk purl is made the same way but a thin – super thin – bit of silk is spun around the metal thereby producing a colored, silk purl that can be attached in the same way to fabric as metal purl.

Benton and Johnson has produced an extensive array of colors. The list below includes most, but not all, of the colors.

China Blue, Mid Cardinal, Light Sky, White, Black, Burnt Copper, Ecru, Autumn Gold, Dark Mauve, Dark Rhubarb, Dark Lavender, Burnt Yellow, Marigold, Saxe, Dark Pewter, Muscat, Violet, Green, Pastel Green, Tartan Green, Leaf Green, Turquoise,Rose, Blue, Pine, Strawberry, Cerise and Iris.

Purl thread is attached to the surface of the fabric using a waxed sewing thread. The needle is brought up from the back of the fabric, passed through the tube (or center) of thread, and taken back through the fabric once again to the back. This technique is called cut work. For a good description and photos of the cut work I did using gold purl on my RSN Goldwork piece, click here.

Purl is a delicate thread and prone to what’s called bruising – a tiny dent that appears on the surface of the thread if handled carelessly. The purl in the photo below is next to a # 5 crewel needle.

The effects one can achieve with purl are beautiful. In one of my new Christmas gift embroidery books, Twixt Art and Nature (*see note below) there is this photo of silk purl attached in curved loops. The colors have been carefully chosen to achieve a shaded look and the effect is magical!

This pretty silk purl will be available online in February 2012, but Neil Halford assured me that if you contact him directly he will help you with your order. The thread costs  £2.95 per meter plus VAT and postage. You may contact Benton and Johnson directly by clicking here.

I’m not sure what I’ll use silk purl for yet…but you can be sure I have some ideas! What about you?

Text & Imagery courtesy of Kathy from The Unbroken Thread.

An example of the products made by Light & Boston - the new acquisition by Toye Kenning & Spencer

BIRMINGHAM-based civil and military regalia manufacturer Toye Kenning & Spencer has strengthened its position in the Masonic niche market with the acquisition of another city-based company.

Toye’s, Birmingham’s oldest manufacturer, has purchased dies, tools and patterns from Light & Boston, which recently went into liquidation.  The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

Light & Boston, based in New John Street, in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, has been producing regalia and insignia since 1989.

It also manufactures Past Master Jewels for Masonic Lodges around the UK and the acquisition will strengthen Toye’s position in the specialised market.

Nick Ellwood, sales director at Toye Kenning & Spencer, said: “We’re proud to serve Masons and are pleased to have been able to secure the continued production of these jewels.

“Our craftsmen in our Birmingham factory produce the jewels themselves while those at our Bedworth factory, including our master weaver, produce our high quality ribbon and other textiles.  We welcome visitors to both factories and are always delighted to host Masons on a tour and show British craftsmanship at its best.”

The purchase of the die, tools and patterns from Light & Boston follows the recent opening of The Clubroom at Toye, at 19-21 Great Queen Street in London.  The facility serves as a showroom for Toye’s products but it is also aimed at Masons who want to meet with their Brother Masons

Why not stop by at our LBB London stands at both Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy or MRketNY in New York, USA. Our Salesman Jeremy Gledhill will be there for any queries and questions and with a great new range of cufflinks for the LBB 2013 Collection. Also you will have the chance to win €500 worth of LBB Cufflinks at Pitti Uomo, Italy and $500 worth of LBB Cufflinks at MRketNY, USA.

8th - 11th January, 2013. Pitti Uomo, Florence, Stand 8, Salone M, Fortezza da Basso in Centrale.
20th - 22nd January, 2013. MRketNY, New York, Booth 475, Javits Center.

Toye, Kenning & Spencer (Toye & Co) are proud to be the official suppliers of the Order of St Michael and St George emblem, launched in June 2012. The emblem allows male and female members of this Order to wear a representation of their honour with pride in their everyday life.

On sale now at www.thetoyeshop.com for £42.00 inclusive of postage and VAT.

Stop by and like us on Facebook to keep upto date with what is going on, and special offers that will be coming soon! Toye & Co on Facebook

Benton & Johnson are proud to be attending this years Knitting and Stitching Show which will be taking place in London’s Alexandra Palace from 11th-14th October 2012. Benton & Johnson will be exhibiting on stand N5 so why not stop by and say hello to see what we have on offer!

For ticket information click here.

Check back for more information SOON!

The 150th anniversary badge made by Toye Kenning & Spencer for Birmingham Childrens Hospital
THE world renowned Birmingham Children’s Hospital has turned to the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter to help its commemorate its 150th anniversary.

The hospital has struck a deal with the city’s oldest manufacturer, Toye Kenning & Spencer to produce a special commemorative badge and the pin is proving so popular that its limited edition run may have to be considerably extended.

Retailing at £1.50 via the hospital and its supporters and partners across the region, the badge is being used to generate funds.

The hospital said early indications were that the badges were proving very popular and it now expected that the initial batch of 5,000 would have to be increased.

Louise McCathie, Head of Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We wanted our birthday to be a celebration of all that has been achieved since 1862 as well as our ambitions for future achievements.

“To realise our ambitions we have to continue to raise funds for equipment, facilities and services; this commemorative badge has an important role to play. Getting the design and manufacture right was, therefore, incredibly important.

“Tradition is important to us so we wanted to work with a local manufacturer. Toye Kenning & Spencer has a strong sense of the importance of community and its philosophy matched ours. Their design capabilities, craft skills and service ethic meant they were the ideal partner. They have a personal approach, taking the time to get to know and understand us, caring as much about the final outcome as we did.”

As a consequence of the successful collaboration, the hospital has now turned to Toye Kenning & Spencer to manufacture a badge for its nurses.

“Our nurses will wear the badge with pride so creating something very special as a way to thank them for their expertise and hard work is important,” added Ms McCathie.

The badge is at the prototype stage but once completed, more than 1,000 will be manufactured.

Having created the uniforms for the winning bid committee in 2007 for Shanghai, Jeff Banks knows a thing or two about winning outfits. The Belize Olympic committee asked Jeff Banks to create their uniforms for the Olympic opening ceremony on July 27th, which will be watched by an estimated 1.5 billion people including some 700,000 Belizeans at home and abroad. They only have 15 competitors so we rank as the smallest nation at the games but are determined to stand out against some of the largest competitors in the world.

“I used the Great Gatsby as my inspiration with a modern touch reflecting the Belize Caribbean sprit” said Jeff. Both men and women will wear Gatsby style blazers in the country national blue with white contrast edging. The men will wear pleat fronted white flannel trousers while the ladies will be wearing white flannel skirts that just touch the knee. Shirts and blouses are in blue and white stripe Sea Island cotton with white collars and ties and scarves in blue white and red national colors. Yvette Jelfs in Scotland hand blocked the Panama hats for the men and Panama cloches for the ladies both trimmed in the national coolers. The blazers carry the national badge produced in gold plated wire by Toye Kenning & Spencer from Birmingham. One of the badges was recently presented to Prince Harry by chef-de mission, Mr. Owen Sonny Meighan on his recent visit to Belize.

Precious feet are protected by specialty made white nubuck leather shoes for both men and ladies. Jeff has gifted his work to the Belize nation in the Olympic spirit of co-operation.

Our store in Bedworth is open for additional hours this Summer and Autumn to cater for the new School year commencing in September. Toye, Kenning & Spencer are announcing that following opening times will start from Friday 6th July 2012:

Wednesdays July 11th - Sep 12th : 9am - 7pm
Fridays July 6th – 27th: 9am - 3pm
Fridays Aug 3rd -  Sept 14th: 9am - 4pm
Saturdays July 7th – 28th: 9am - 12pm
Saturdays Aug 4th – Sep 15th: 10am - 2pm

CUSTODIANS of one of the world’s most iconic buildings have called on the age-old skills of a Bedworth-based company to restore priceless items of furniture.

Workers at Benton and Johnson have renovated a set of state chairs from the collection at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Owned by regalia manufacturers Toye, Kenning and Spencer, they were contacted by the curators at the Kremlin, who discovered they were the only company who could help.

They were able to identify and match the original threads and produce the gold wire to the quality required to renovate the chairs.

Kremlin curator Tatiana Lukashova explained: “This was an incredibly important project for us. As well as being beautiful, the chairs are significant items of state and so it was essential that the restoration project was a success.

“This meant that we needed exactly the right supplier, They needed to have the expertise and flexibility to identify and then manufacture exactly what we needed.”

She added: “Benton and Johnson with their heritage of quality, proved perfect and we are delighted with the results.”

After exploratory contact with the Bedworth-based suppliers of embroidery threads and gold wire, a tiny sample from the original fabric of the chairs was sent to the company which is based in Newtown Road, Bedworth.

Hundreds of years old,the sample contained gold plate wrapped in coloured silk, something Neil Halford the manager of Benton and Johnson had not seen before.

But he began experimenting with ways of wrapping the gold plate and then began an intensive search for matching silk.

A second unique feature of the sample sent from Russia was gold plate with an embossed pattern.

By searching the company’s archives Neil Halford was able to identify a roller and adapt an existing machine to replicate the pattern.

He explained: “This has been an incredibly prestigious project for us. “We were delighted to have been selected and have very much enjoyed the challenge it has presented.

“This project is a testament to our expertise in gold wire - we hold a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen - and the value we place on delivering the highest quality service.”

The restored chairs are on display in the Palace of the Facets at the Moscow Kremlin which attracts millions of visitors each year.

The 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Chart is now online! We are offering FREE SHIPPING in the UK on this product and donating £1 of every product purchased to RBL. Purchase your chart here!

The Royal Victorian Order medal produced by Toye Kenning & Spencer

BIRMINGHAM’S oldest manufacturer has completed one of its most high profile orders supplying Buckingham Palace with a new batch of medals for the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Toye Kenning & Spencer, based in the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter, has been commissioned to produce a number of Royal Victorian Order medals, which could take on added significance as part of this year’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Royal Victorian Order recognises distinguished personal service to the Monarch or members of her family.  Established in 1896 by Queen Victoria, the order has five hierarchical grades and one medal with three levels, each representing a different level of service.

Fiona Toye, chief executive of the firm, said: “We are proud to have been entrusted with this prestigious work.

“The individuals who receive the award have been personally selected by The Queen and will treasure their medal.  It is important, therefore, that we craft each and every medal with skill and care.  We are rigorous in our attention to detail, hand crafting and hand checking each one so that every one is perfect.”

In total, 55 medals were manufactured in gold and silver. Each was stamped using original dies before being plated, polished and finished by the company’s expert crafts people.

Toye Kenning & Spencer, which is over 325 years old, was founded by a penniless Huguenot refugee.  On arrival in the UK, he and his family resumed their trade of weaving, lace-making, embroidery and gold and silver wire making.

Today Toye Kenning & Spencer has two manufacturing facilities - in Birmingham and Bedworth - plus a corporate showroom and retail outlet in London’s West End.

It has a Royal Warrant and combines imaginative design, traditional skills and computer technology to produce a range of items. As well as a range of State Insignia, the company creates a plethora of other civil and military identity products.

SIX polar explorers have been awarded special commemorative medals manufactured in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

The six men - Nigel Warwick, Brian Amos, Andrew Taylor, Paul Taroni, Alex Parker and John Donvan - all walked to the North Pole to raise money for the charity Sparks.  They were joined on their expedition by Alan Chambers MBE and Dr Ed Coates.

When they reached their destination, Mr Taylor awarded each member of the expedition a stunning 18-caret white gold medal he had specially commissioned from manufacturer Toye & Co. Members of the support team were recognised with silver replicas of the main expedition medals.

Fiona Toye, chief executive of the firm - Birmingham’s oldest manufacturer, said: “We are delighted to have been able to design and manufacture these medals. Their’s is an extraordinary achievement for a wonderful cause; we congratulate them and are very proud to have played even this small part.”

Sparks supports research into conditions that prevent children from being born healthy or who suffer during the early years of life. It works with leading doctors and research teams in the UK to ensure it funds the highest quality research with the greatest change of saving and changing lives forever.

The festivities at the beginning of June were a glorious way to celebrate HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  It was wonderful to watch the country come together to recognize her long years of service.

For those of us at Toye & Co, there was another aspect to our celebrations; almost unknowingly we found ourselves playing spot the medal.  With our heritage it is no surprise that many of the medals and ribbons on show were manufactured in our Birmingham and Bedworth factories.

Those with sharp eyes will have seen the Diamond Jubilee Medals being worn proudly by the officers of the City of London Police Service outside St Paul’s Cathedral.  We also saw a range of uniform accouterments, headdresses and ceremonial items, including state trumpet banners, made with pride by our craftspeople.  For one fleeting second we saw a broach worn by the Lady Mayoress of the City of London and the badge of office worn by one of the two sheriffs, Wendy Mead.  Both were designed by Pei Nap-Mok and manufactured in our Birmingham factory.

We would like to congratulate 6 Ordinary Men on their 2012 North Pole Expedition. The Ordinary Men, include Brian Amos, Alex Parker, Andrew Taylor, Paul Taroni, John Donovan, and Nigel Warwick. The journey commence on 31st March and it was concluded on 11th April (11am GMT) when they “Ordinary Men” updated their blog saying:

Hey - you lot down there?
We’re on Top of the World!!!!!
We did it! We made it!
We’re in the middle of doing our Victory Dance trying not to spill the whiskey!!
Best Wishes to everyone - thanks so much for your support - we’ve got some fab photo’s to share with you when we return.

Toye, Kenning & Spencer are proud to announce that we were the manufacturers of commemorative medals that were given to the rest of the team by Brian Amos & Andrew Taylor whne they reached the North Pole.

The medals were made out of 18ct White Gold and supplied boxed with our Toye, Kenning & Spencer Royal Warrent and on metal chains.
If anybody would like to add to the £182,227.00 for the Childrens Charity Sparks, Click Here.

Business Development Director, Nick Ellwood will be exhibiting a range of our Rotary products at this years RIBI Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) from Friday 14th April - Sunday 16th April 2012.

Scan our QR Code below with your mobile device or, click on the image to take you through to our 2012 Rotary Brochure.

Come along and see our Business Development Director, Nick Ellwood at the Bournemouth International Centre from Monday 2nd April - Wednesday 4th April. We will based at stall no. 26

Medals and their ribbons - being awarded to those serving in the British Armed Forces in recognition of their enduring service to the country to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee - have been manufactured by ADS member, Toye Kenning & Spencer.

You will now find KJD Jewellers on Twitter, so if you’re interested, go on jump on board and follow us! Tweet Tweet! @KJDJewellers

Keith Davis, Retail Director of KJD Jewellers, a division of Toye, Kenning & Spencer.

Can you introduce KJD Jewellers to us in one sentence?

A small Company, living and breathing the world of cufflinks, eager to push the boundaries of design and to challenge the status quo.

Who are you and what are you in to?

I’m Keith, founder of KJD.  What am I into?  Well, anything creative I guess.  At work - designing cufflinks, naturally.  At home - playing the piano, listening to (mostly classical) music and writing.  I’m partial to a good book too.

How did KJD Jewellers come about?

After completing a Law & Politics degree at London University, I decided to take a change of direction and try my hand at a start-up.  The challenge of creating a new business and developing a product that would turn into a successful brand seemed far more exciting that pursuing a career in either law or politics.  And, looking back on the past 17 years, I can honestly say it’s been very exciting!

What are your design inspirations?

Inspiration comes from everywhere to be honest - nature, art, sports.  You name it.  We have even designed cufflinks based on manhole covers!

Where do you see your company in 5 years time?

Still manufacturing the finest cufflinks and seeing them for sale in the very best shops.

Do you have any advice or tips for any other aspiring entrepreneurs?

It sounds corny but don’t be afraid to pursue your goals.  Be sure of yourself and your ideas.  You will also need this resolve to tackle often aggressive competitors, who will do their utmost to keep you out of the market.  Be stalwart and you’ll get through!

What are your ethical motivations?  ie what are the issues that get you fired up?!

I am a firm believer in meritocracy.  No one has a ‘right to business.’  If you’re the best at what you do, then you should reap the rewards.

Can you tell us a bit about why you chose to use cufflinks?

It was both destined and random at the same time.  ‘Destined’ because both my parents had been manufacturing jewellers, which provided me with a familiarity around jewellery; ‘random’ because they never produced cufflinks.  For my part, as a cufflink wearer, I thought the choice in the market was very limited.  It was an area where I thought I could contribute something positive.

We’ve only got to the second month of 2012 and two of our products have had great press coverage so far, the first being the CBE medal awarded to Edinburgh born Ronnie Corbett. The Two Ronnies star was recognised in the New Year Honours for services to charity and the entertainment industry.

Secondly on Sunday 19th Feburary during the FA Cup 6th Round draw taking place at Wembley. Peter Reid was awarded a replacement FA Cup Runners-Up medal which was also made by Toye, Kenning & Spencer.

Toye, Kenning & Spencer are as we speak, providing a factory tour to the fantastic 3rd Year BA Jewellery students from Central St Martins, London.

Central St Martins lecturer Caroline Broadhead checking out some of our products in the Birmingham Showroom

The tour guides, Christine Cushing & Claire Round are showing the progress of our Metal Manufacturing Factory here in the Heart of England.

Students having in depth conversation with our resident Die Sinker, Jim Baker.

Lin Cheung & Caroline Broadhurst have kindly arranged for the 10 students to come up and see some very historical ways of working and they’re all looking very intrigued with some of the “tricks of the trade” to say the least.

Intrigued as to what Die Sinker, Jim Baker is informing them on.

Stop by and say hello to our Toye, Kenning & Spencer representatives at this years Security & Policing Exhibition at the FIVE, Farnborough, Aerospace Boulevard GU14 6XL. We are on stand C6, see you there!

From 31/01/2012 - 02/02/2012 Toye, Kenning & Spencer will be returning to the Security & Policing exhibition at Farnborough, showing medals & medal ribbons, uniform accoutrements, including our ground-breaking infrared badges, hats and caps and identity wallets.  Find us on stand C6.

After clearing out a lot of old information in the office we came across these Spitfire badges. They date back to the 1930’s and 1940’s and wondered if there was anybody out there that could provide us with some historical information?

Please take a look and leave us a comment with any information you might have about the badges.

http://toye-kenning-and-spencer.blogspot.com/2012/01/spitfire-badges.html

If anybody is interested in finding out what is going on with LBB London Collections, where abouts in the world we are and what we are doing. Take a look at http://www.lbblondon.wordpress.com/

Why not come and see us in Florence the next few days

This is what our stand looks like, pop by and say Hi!

Click to Enlarge.

Take a look at KJD Jewellers Website

A beautiful silver and silver gilt spiral Christmas tree designed and manufactured by the Jewellery Quarter’s own Toye Kenning & Spencer has been selected for inclusion in The Goldsmiths’ Company Christmas decoration catalogue.

The eye-catching tree was designed by Gary Hiley; he is a member of Toye Kenning & Spencer’s design team and is to celebrate 25 years with the company in 2012.

Each year The Goldsmiths’ Company produces a catalogue of Christmas decorations to showcase the talent of Britain’s leading designers in hallmarked precious metal. The spiral Christmas tree, which retails at £180, was one of 15 decorations that have been included, selected by The Goldsmiths’ Company of experts from around 100 entrants. It can be purchased from The Goldsmiths’ Company or directly from Toye Kenning & Spencer.

The Goldsmiths’ Company buys one of every featured decoration to keep in its collection of silverware.

Full size Diamond Jubilee Medal with box.

A £7million contract to produce the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal has been awarded to a consortium of small businesses led by Worcestershire Medal Service, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

The consortium is made up of a group of Royal Warrant holders and the contract was awarded following a full tender process in accordance with EU procurement rules.

Ribbon being made on Toye Kenning & Spencer looms in Bedworth, England.

Jeremy Hunt said:

“I’m delighted that not only will the Diamond Jubilee medal be made in the UK but that it will support the growth of a number of small businesses in the West Midlands at a time when we need to do all we can to boost economic growth.

“These medals are being awarded as a mark of thanks to those who give so much in the name of society and public service, and I’m sure they will be made with as much care and pride as is shown by those who will go on to wear them.”

It’s expected that the medals will start to be delivered from February next year.

Worcestershire Medal Service, which owns the Gladman and Norman factory in Birmingham, joined forces with two other Jewellery Quarter companies - Toye, Kenning and Spencer, and Thomas Fattorini - to compete for the business.

“We thought rather than fight against one another it would be better to try and tender for work together,” Mr McDermott said.

Mr McDermott said the contract would also benefit the wider regional economy.

“The ribbon is woven in Bedworth and we’ve bought metal in from Northampton. The boxes are also made in the Midlands,” he said.

All three companies involved hold Royal warrants and it is not the first time WMS has produced state medals.

Diamond Jubilee Ribbon ready to go.

LBB London will exhibiting their range of fine cufflinks, buttons and men’s accessories at the below exhibitions in 2012:

Photography: Jas Sans

Toye Kenning and Spencer were proud to be one of the sponsors of the annual Best Bar None awards at the ICC Birmingham on October 16, 2011. As well as being a sponsor of this years event we were official provider of all the awards that were received by winners.

A popular 80’s themed bar at the heart of Birmingham’s entertainment industry has been judged the city’s best licensed establishment, in the city council’s annual Best Bar None awards.
Reflex Bar, in The arcadian, Hurst Street, had won both the nightclub category, and the overall award at the annual event.
Other category winners were: Holiday Inn Express, Lionel St (Best Hotel Bar), Mono, The Arcadian (Best Independent Bar), Fighting Cocks, Moseley (Best Suburban Bar), Red Lion, Kings Heath (Best Suburban Pub), Square Peg (Best City Centre pub), Grosvenor G Casino (Best City Centre Bar).
Joes Bar at Birmingham University meanwhile won the best student venue award for the fourth year running.
The scheme, supported by the Home Office, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) assesses Birmingham’s pubs, clubs and bars on criteria such as; door and security policies, drugs issues, under-age drinking and how to deal with abusive customers, as well as what systems are in place to deal with alcohol related crime.

Photography: Jas Sansi

Jacqui Kennedy, Director of Regulation and Enforcement at Birmingham City Council, said: “Each shortlisted venue was visited to assess its merits, before the winners were selected for meeting a wide range of factors, including the quality of their food and drink, service levels, staff training, security and ambience.
“The judges had no idea which establishment they were selecting, as all the information from the assessments was presented to them without identifying the particular venue.
“This event is like the Oscars of pub management in the city. It has been a very hard job to pick the winners, as the standard of the entrants has been extremely high.”
Risa Bar in Broad Street, was another venue with particular reason to celebrate after it was chosen by the public as their favourite bar in a public vote run in conjunction with BRMB.
A special award was also given to the Toby Carvery in Sutton Park by the Community Safety Partnership.

Photography: Jas Sansi

Small Heath pupils see their murals unveiled at Toye Kenning & Spencer

Year 9 pupils from Small Heath School watched their creations unveiled in Toye Kenning & Spencer’s new foyer and showroom, by chief executive, Fiona Toye.

The brief for the pupils was to design and create large-scale murals that would celebrate the heritage of the Jewellery Quarter and Toye Kenning & Spencer’s place at its heart.

Jabar Kahn explained: “This was an amazing project to be part of; we’ve worked on every stage from the first piece of background research to the last element of its creation. First we had to investigate both the Quarter and Toye Kenning & Spencer to get inspiration and then we were able to really let our imaginations take hold and come up with some exciting designs. Bringing our ideas to life as we created the murals was amazing; we’re incredibly proud to see them displayed in this way.”

“These murals are incredible,” explained Fiona Toye, chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer. “We are a company with creativity in design at our heart and a heritage of superb craft skills. These murals echo our approach and ethos, combining the ideas of the young people in a school that values their creativity and combines it with skill. They are the perfect backdrop to our stylish new foyer and show room.”

Also attending the unveiling, at 77 Warstone Lane, were head Peter Slough and Jenny Green [Art Teacher] of the school, the pupils’ teachers and Richard Riley [Head of Work Related Learning].

Toye Kenning & Spencer is working with Small Heath School as one of its partners in industry. The murals were the first collaboration between the two and other projects are now being planned.

Toye Kenning & Spencer attended DSEi (Defence & Security Equipment International) the premier defence trade show at Excel in London from 13 -16 Sept 2011. We were very pleased to meet with many of our customers and were very honoured to greet on the stand, Lt Gen Prince Feisal of Jordan and Rear Admiral Rees Ward of ADS.

Toye Kenning & Spencer, manufacturer of military identity products for over 320 years, is exhibiting ground-breaking infrared badges at DSEi 2011.

For more information click here

Toyes Director International and Military Sales Clive Lunn meeting HRH Prince Feisal.

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Special thanks to Supercool based in Birminghams Jewellery Quarter.

JCK Toronto is an incredible marketplace dedicated to your passion – Jewellery. With more than 150 designers and manufacturers you can discover the products that define and excite the industry.

Come and visit Booth 929 at JCK Toronto and see what we have to offer!

Come and visit our stand at the JA Summer Show in New York. Booth 2415 at the Javits Centre, New York.

Gold and other threads, crafted by a division of Bedworth-based Toye Kenning & Spencer, Benton & Johnson, have been used in a stunning new full set of vestments embroidered by the congregation of The Church of the Holy Innocents, Hammersmith.

Benton & Johnson, which has its origins in the eighteenth century, has a worldwide reputation for the manufacture and supply of a wide range of embroidery, purls and threads.  It became a division of Toye Kenning & Spencer in 1990. 

Neil Halford, production manager for the weaving department and Benton & Johnson at Toye Kenning & Spencer, said: “It was an honour to be able to contribute to this project.  The vestments are incredibly important to the church and its congregation and so it was essential they used the very best materials.  We were delighted they chose to use our gold threads and wires; it’s a testament to the expertise of our craftspeople and the care and attention they take in the production of the wires and threads.”

The Parish lacked a celebration set of vestments for the Principal Feasts because previous parish clergy had their own or used heirloom vestments that either left with the clergy or entered the collection of The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.  The decision was taken to employ a skilled needleworker to create a full set of vestments in time for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.  The dedication of the vestments has begun and will be completed over coming months.

The artistic process involved so many questions and different skills: silk weaving; colour matching; cord making; tassel making; braid making; theological reflection; tailoring of the actual body of the garments; architectural awareness; an appreciation of the different styles of vestments throughout the history; knowledge of fabric and materials; prayer; and the embroidery work itself.  It was a collaborative process, watched over by Ruth Chamberlin, Britain’s acknowledged exponent of gold-thread embroidery and advisor to The Diocese of Peterborough. 

Toye Kenning & Spencer produces the gold wire and thread using traditional methods and machinery, thus giving it the flexibility to manufacture even very small quantities. 

The gold wire is produced by coating copper wire in silver and then plating it with gold.  There are two common forms of gold wire.  The first, which is 2% gold, is, naturally enough called gold 2% and the second is gilt which is 0.5% gold. 

Toye Kenning & Spencer produces different thicknesses, drawing it down to the required diameter by repeatedly stretching it very gently through a diamond die.   The wire is converted into a flat form using a plating mill in which the wire is drawn between two rollers, up to 30 times, while gold thread is produced by spinning the wire around a cotton or silk core, with the thickness depending on the number of threads used.

Local MP Dan Byles, who has joined the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for family business, which is sponsored by the Institute for Family Business, has visited Toye Kenning & Spencer.

He toured the company’s Newtown Road manufacturing facility and viewed its brand new School Shop, which retails embroidered uniform and kit to schools and sports clubs in the North Warwickshire and Coventry areas. Toye Kenning & Spencer is also supplying fundraising gifts through the shop as part of its broad product portfolio.

“We are pleased Dan has backed us and joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group for family businesses. Companies like ours are key contributors to both our communities and the local economy,” explained chief executive Fiona Toye. “I am the current custodian of Toye Kenning & Spencer; my job is to continue the evolution of the business, making sure it is robust and able to withstand the challenges of the future. It is good to have our local MPs on our side, giving voice to our concerns and campaigning on our behalf.”

“We are also pleased to be able to show him our new ‘Toye Shop’. It gives us a platform to highlight the talents of the craftspeople in our Bedworth factory, where we have experts in weaving, embroidery and lace making. We manufacture a broad range of products from men’s accessories to civil and military identity products and regalia as well as uniforms for clubs and schools and this new space is the ideal showcase for our products.”

The Director of Town Hall & Symphony Hall, Andrew Jowett, has been honoured by the Birmingham Civic Society, with the award of Gold Medal.

Given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to life in Birmingham and who typically have not otherwise been formally recognised, only 37 Gold Medals have been awarded in the 93 years since the Society’s formation. The Gold Medal has often been the first of many honours to be heaped on these remarkable individuals and Andrew is now joining in company with Sir Simon Rattle, the architect WH Bidlake, founder of the Birmingham Rep Sir Barry Jackson and relief worker and promoter of improved housing Florence Barrow.

Andrew Jowett is receiving it for ‘his significant contribution to Birmingham’s artistic reputation’, having worked in the arts for over 30 years. On graduation from the University of Salford, he was appointed Assistant General Manager at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. From 1979-1981 Andrew was Director of Darlington Civic Theatre and from 1982-1988 he was Director of the Arts Centre, University of Warwick. He took up the role of director of Symphony Hall in 1989.

David Clarke, chair of Birmingham Civic Society explained: “Having opened in 1991 Symphony Hall is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest concert halls and the source of great civic pride. From the outset, Andrew has been responsible for its artistic programming, operation, and management and, with his team, is credited with having created an outstanding programme of activity at Symphony Hall that appeals to a wide audience – the classical programme being complemented by jazz, world music, folk, rock, pop and stand-up comedy – together with a community engagement programme that reaches 10,000 people each year. In 2007 Andrew oversaw the successful re-opening of Town Hall, which has immediately regained its place at the cultural heart of Birmingham. It is in recognition of his contribution that the Trustees of the Civic Society have chosen to recognize Andrew in this way.”

Andrew was awarded the Gold Medal following a ceremony during which Birmingham Symphony Hall itself was awarded the Birmingham Civic Society’s prestigious Forward Prize for the breadth of its programme combined with its proactive engagement with the local community.

This is the first Gold Medal to be awarded since the Society was granted its Coat of Arms and so it has taken the opportunity to redesign the Medals. The new design has been created by Birmingham’s own Toye, Kenning & Spencer. Based in the Jewellery Quarter, the company is a long standing supporter of the Birmingham Civic Society and also hand crafted the Medal that was awarded. The company’s senior die sinker, Jim Baker, who cut the dies for the medal, was present at the ceremony.

“I was thrilled to see the medal being awarded and the pride with which Andrew Jowett received it,” explained Jim. “We take great care over the manufacture of this and other medals and rarely get to see them in the hands of the recipients and so this was a particular pleasure.”

Julian Hawkes wore his military uniform with pride at Toye Kenning and Spencer’s Bedworth factory on Wednesday 22 June, Armed Forces’ Uniform to Work Day.

Part of the build up to Armed Forces Day, which is scheduled for 25 June, is the Uniform to Work Day which has been designed to highlight the important role the Reserves play in serving their country. Julian is just one of many members of the Armed Forces all over the country who left their suits at home and donned their Forces uniform instead.

“Our firm has a long association with the Armed Forces,” explained Toye Kenning & Spencer chief executive, Fiona Toye. “We have manufactured uniforms and regalia for many years and so are delighted to support Julian as he highlights the contribution our Armed Forces make to our country.”

After 22 years service in the Army, Julian left and joined Toye Kenning & Spencer as Military Sales Executive. He has held the voluntary post of Sergeant Instructor of the Coventry based Westfield House Platoon Army Cadet Force for two years.

“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to signal my membership of the Army Cadet Force as an Adult Instructor” said Julian Hawkes. “Uniform to Work Day celebrates the value of one arm of the Armed Forces and I was proud to have the opportunity to signal my membership of the Reserves.”

As Sergeant Instructor of the Westfield House Detachment of Cadets Julian gives two nights a week, and, on average, one weekend a month to drill cadets, aged between 12 and 18, and instruct them in weapon handling and field craft. He also leads them during the residential camp for one week each August. There are 40 cadets in Julian’s Detachment and a total of over 400 in the County.

Julian is currently planning to host his cadets on a tour of the Bedworth factory, showing them how military uniforms, medals and regalia are manufactured.

Toye Kenning & Spencer is imbued with a culture of continual reinvestment and values highly the talent within the business, its designers inspiring its craftsmen and women, who are experts in weaving, lace-making, embroidery and gold and silver wire making and enamelling.

“The Fellowship visit of Warwick Rotary Club to Bedworth was most enjoyable. The food was delicious, the venue stately and the fellowship was just about everything it should be.

The visit to Toye Kenning was a real eye opener. Some of the plant was really state of the art and the automatic embroidery was a perfect example.
Such a contrast with some machines having wooden frames which looked as if they went back to the 1600’s when the business was founded.

One of our best Fellowship visits I can remember.”

Fellowship Officer

Ron Flint

On 25th May 2011, The Rotary Club of Worcester Vigornia visited the Toye Kenning & Spencer factory in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

 
The reason for the visit was to act as part of the focus group for the product developments of Rotary Jewellery and Giftware, the factory tour organised by Christine Cushing (Marketing Manager) and the development presentation put on by Nick Ellwood (Business Development Director) and Louisa Taylor (Jewellery Designer) went down a storm with the party.

According to the group, it  was a highly successful tour and they have recommended it to others in their zone to do the same.

Click on image to enlarge.

Taken from the Nuneaton Tribune

Click on image to enlarge.

Toye Kenning & Spencer on Central News

Click on the link above.

Birmingham & Bedworth’s own Toye Kenning & Spencer has been selected to take part in Fortnum & Mason’s exclusive summer exhibition in London, ‘From Teapots to Tapestries’. 

Opening on 16 May, ‘From Teapots to Tapestries’, which has been designed to celebrate craft skills, runs until the end of July. 

Amongst a range of other products, Toye Kenning & Spencer will exhibit a range of enamelled items as well as its Benton & Johnson gold thread embroidery kits.  The company’s skilled artisans will also be in store on 2 and 3 June to provide demonstrations of and answer questions on both and enamelling and embroidery. 

Chief executive of the family run firm that was founded in 1685, Fiona Toye said: “We are delighted to have been selected for the exhibition and would like to thank Fortnum & Mason for the opportunity.  Craft skills are the life blood of our business; every product we manufacture goes through the hands of our experienced craftspeople, whether they be enamellers, silver-smiths, engravers, weavers, lace-makers, embroiderers, die makers, stampers, polishers or mounters.  Each of these individuals has spent years, often decades, learning and then honing their craft and it is exciting to be celebrating their hard work and talent as part of the exhibition.”

Benton & Johnson has its origins in the eighteenth century and has built a worldwide reputation for the manufacture and supply of a wide range of embroidery purls and threads in a variety of qualities.  In 1990 it became a division of Toye Kenning & Spencer. 

Birmingham and Bedworth-based Toye Kenning & Spencer is going to be celebrating with every garden designer and grower who receives a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show (24-28 May 2011).  The family run company’s craftspeople have hand produced each medal being presented. 

“Every winner of a Royal Horticultural Society Medal has worked hard over many months or even years,” explained chief executive Fiona Toye.  “They treasure the medal they are awarded, whether it is gold, silver or bronze, and so we make sure each one is manufactured with care and attention.”

The medals, which are manufactured from a range of metals, from base metal to 9 ct gold, are stamped from hand engraved dies.  Each one then moves through the hands of craftspeople in the mounting, polishing and finally plating shop.  Some medals are even enamelled by hand or have intricate images painted onto their surface. 

Toye Kenning & Spencer has been manufacturing medals for the Royal Horticultural Society for 34 years. 

Toye Kenning & Spencer is imbued with a culture of continual reinvestment and values highly the talent within the business, its designers inspiring its craftsmen and women, who are experts in weaving, lace-making, embroidery and gold and silver wire making and enamelling. 

The company produces a wide range of differing products incorporating ribbon, cords, laces, regalia, badges, buttons, medals and trophies.  These products are brought together to produce for example, state insignia, civil and military uniforms, medals for the Chelsea Flower Show and the FA Cup Final and international Honours Caps for the England Football Team. 

Hello all, we’re finally getting into the technological world that is out there, and you can now follow us on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/toyekennings

Happy Tweeting!

A man who has beaten unemployment has got that winning feeling after finding work through a pilot pre-apprenticeship project, supported by Birmingham City Council’s Working Neighbourhoods Innovation Fund.

Khush Sidhu is training as a craftsman at internationally renowned Toye, Kenning and Spencer - one of the UK’s leading producers of medals, state insignia and corporate gifts based in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

His unemployment ordeal ended when he clinched the golden opportunity thanks to his own hard work and dedication, and support provided through the pilot pre-apprenticeship project and assistance from Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG).

Khush, aged 23, from Handsworth, had been out of work for around 12 months when he was approached by PPDG to see whether he would be interested in the pre-apprenticeship opportunity.

He was given training through the government-funded Work Focused Training initiative and sent on a course to develop his interview technique, CV and customer services skills in preparation for future employment. Work Focused Training provides vocational training opportunities and employability skills to 18 to 24-year-olds.

The initiative is part of the Government’s Backing Young Britain campaign, in partnership with the Future Jobs Fund and the Community Taskforce, which encourages organisations to provide young people with the opportunities they need to get into work.

When PPDG employment coach Greg Crookendale suggested the pre-apprenticeship scheme Khush jumped at the chance. After successfully completing an extensive recruitment process he is now working as a full time apprentice die sinker at Toye, Kenning and Spencer in Warstone Lane. He is enjoying every minute of his training in the highly skilled role under the expert eye of experienced die sinker Jim Baker.

Khush, who has studied graphic illustration and communications, said: “It is amazing to be working here and it has turned my life around. I have got something to look forward to each day and I am learning new skills all the time. Before getting this opportunity I was job-hunting 24/7. I really enjoy my new role and especially the creative work I’m involved in.

“It is a highly skilled job and there is so much to learn. Being unemployed is so frustrating but now things are definitely looking a lot brighter. I’ve got a new flat and a career to look forward to - I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.”

PPDG’s team of employment experts provide advice on benefits, confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus, PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes. More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained employment by the company since the projects began.  It has trained 130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.

14th-17th June 2011

http://www.pittimmagine.com

Founded in 1685 and still family-run, Toye Kenning & Spencer is joining the campaign to support and promote the family business sector.  It is calling on local MPs, Shabana Mahmood [Birmingham, Ladywood], Dan Byles [North Warwickshire] and the Rt. Hon Frank Dobson [Holborn & St. Pancras] to join the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for family business, the inauguration of which is taking place on 28 March. 

The new All-Party group will undertake a number of activities to truly understand the issues facing family firms including site visits, briefings with the owner managers and an annual reception at the House of Commons.  

“Family businesses are key contributors to the economy and our communities, generating income, creating employment and showing a commitment to local areas,” explained Fiona Toye, chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer.  “Seeing ourselves as custodians of the business we value highly the talent within the company, our imaginative designers inspiring our craftsmen and women, who are experts in weaving, gold and silver wire and lace making, embroidery and enamelling.  We have also sustained the culture of reinvestment, recently having renovated the front of our Jewellery Quarter / Bedworth-based manufacturing facility to create a stylish display and retail area.”

Toye Kenning & Spencer is also urging it’s local MPs to sign an Early Day Motion recognising the role of family businesses in supporting employment and economic growth and their value in terms of corporate stewardship and a commitment to social responsibility.  The family business sector accounts for one in three jobs in the UK and contributes 30% of GDP.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group is to be sponsored by the Institute for Family Business, the independent, not-for-profit membership association supporting the UK family-owned business sector.  The association has a membership of 200 family businesses, with a combined turnover of more than £40bn.

Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Len Gregory, and the Lady Mayoress, visited Toye Kenning & Spencer in the city’s Jewellery Quarter to find out more about the skills of the company’s craftspeople and the training and development opportunities it provides. 

The couple toured the factory seeing stampers, silver smiths, gold smiths, enamellers and finishers.

They were told that attracting young people in particular to the trade crafts is vital but not easy.  Chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer, Fiona Toye, explained: “Every product we manufacture goes through the hands of our experienced craftspeople; more than ten are needed to produce a Jewel for a Lord Mayor.  So it’s easy to see that encouraging the craft skills is essential to our long term success and that of other manufacturers in the Quarter. 

“We took the opportunity of the visit to explain the work we are doing with the School of Jewellery and The Goldsmiths’ Company to create high quality training and development programmes.  We are putting in place a new apprenticeship scheme that we hope will lead to an industry specific qualification.”

Founded in 1685, Toye Kenning & Spencer is still family run.

Nominations for the Vitalise Businesswoman of the Year were being encouraged by Fiona Toye, chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer at a reception held to celebrate the opening of the company’s new display and retail facility. 

“The Jewellery Quarter is home to many talented women who manufacture in the widest sense, generating ideas and producing physical goods as well as developing and leading their businesses,” explained Fiona Toye.  “I want to see these individuals nominated for Businesswoman of the Year; it’s a platform for recognising their achievements and will help raise the profile of the talent within the Jewellery Quarter.” 

Toye Kenning & Spencer has invested significantly, renovating the front of its Warstone Lane-based manufacturing facility to create a stylish display and retail area.  The renovation is sympathetic to the original Victorian factory behind it, in which the company’s talented workforce handcrafts its exquisite products. 

Fiona Toye continued: “This space allows us to highlight the breadth of our product range, which encompasses everything from men’s designer accessories through to military regalia, at the same time as showcasing the talents of our craftspeople.”

On Monday 14th February 2011 we had our very first School Trip organised to come and take a look behind the scenes at Toye Kenning & Spencer.

It was a very successful day for the visitors, aswell as their Teacher. The children from Small Heath School are working with Toye Kenning & Spencer are going to be designing a mural in conjunction with ther studies. The mural will be mounted next to our brand new showroom in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.

The Children were amazed with what actually goes on, the Boys amazed with the medals and girls in love with the jewels.

Members of The Royal Victorian Order and holders of the Royal Victorian Medal can now wear a representation of their honour with pride in their everyday life. This follows the introduction in January 2011 of the emblem, which is manufactured exclusively by Toye Kenning & Spencer.

The Royal Victorian Order is awarded by the Monarch for extraordinary, important or personal services to the Sovereign or Royal Family. King George VI awarded it to his speech therapist, Lionel Logue, who is brought to life by Geoffrey Rush in his Oscar nominated performance in ‘The King’s Speech’.

The emblem is a beautifully woven blue, red and white buttonhole with the arms of the Royal Victorian Order on the front. Unlike the full insignia, which could only be worn on state occasions, the emblem can be worn at all times.

“It is clearly a great personal honour to be appointed a member of the Royal Victorian Order,” said Fiona Toye, chief executive of Toye Kenning & Spencer. “We are delighted to be crafting the emblem and do so with the same care and attention that we dedicate to everything we manufacture. Our weavers and metal smiths are using the skills they have honed over many years to create this mark of an individual’s extraordinary contribution.”

There are currently 5,500 living members and medallists of the Royal Victorian Order, based throughout the country.