The Factory Next Door

Ranking history

About the show

Latest episodes

• 55. The Hand-Sewn Kilt

  October 6, 2026 · 36 min

  For 500 years highland dress has been synonymous with Scotland, but these days there are more kilt-makers in India than within its home country. On today’s The Factory Next Door we head to a workshop just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where…

• 54. The Helter Skelter

  September 22, 2026 · 34 min

  You never quite know what you’re going to find when you visit one of our manufacturers.   On today’s episode of The Factory Next Door, we head to Avonmouth to visit a bespoke storage maker – but what we discover is far from expected.   We…

• 53. The Ceremonial Uniform

  September 8, 2026 · 32 min

  When you need someone to escort the King’s crown to Parliament for the state opening, you call on his Majesty’s Gentleman at Arms – with their distinctive red and gold jackets. And when you need someone to make a new uniform for this…

• 52. The Propelling Pencil

  August 25, 2026 · 40 min

  The epicentre of the global pen industry used to reside in Birmingham. Then the plastic biro arrived and everything changed. But in the city’s jewellery quarter, a team of skilled silversmiths are ensuring the history of Birmingham’s pen…

• 51. The Remembrance Wreath

  August 11, 2026 · 31 min

  Inspired by a poem about the horrors of war, the red poppy is worn by millions of people every year to commemorate those who have died in conflict. And every November, on Remembrance Sunday, poppy wreaths of varying sizes are placed beside…

• Most replayed moments. The greatest business strategy

  May 29, 2026 · 16 min

  We’ve hit number 50 on our list of the greatest things we make here, so I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite moments, as well as your most replayed clips.   Since we started The Factory Next Door, we’ve spent hours and…

• Most replayed moments. Why I bought a British factory

  May 22, 2026 · 16 min

  We’ve hit number 50 on our list of the greatest things we make here, so I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite moments, as well as your most replayed clips.   Our manufacturers are undoubtedly facing strong headwinds…

• Most replayed moments. Stories from our makers that made me cry

  May 15, 2026 · 15 min

  We’ve hit number 50 on our list of the greatest things we make here, so I thought it would be nice to look back at some of my favourite moments from the show, as well as your most replayed clips.   Over the coming weeks, I’ll share a few…