About
Three generations of time served craftsman…
We’re a small family run company, who come from a long line of carpenters and joiners, you could say it’s in our blood.
Based in Rhyl, on the beautiful North Wales coast we produce made to measure wooden gates, side hung wooden garage doors and general joinery items. We began making our own range of gates and garage doors back in 1989, but our business is based on decades of carpentry and joinery expertise that stretches back over three generations. Our work today is still based on the teaching, techniques and craftsmanship of our forefathers.
Supporting the war effort
William Joseph Culshaw was an apprentice carpenter and joiner during the 1930’s. An RAF volunteer during WWII, he drove ambulances in France and Holland, but was able to put his skills to good use making wooden tops for Wylie Jeeps, and was later recalled to make coffins for the war effort.
After the war he began making cots, highchairs and toys from scrap materials at a time when consumer goods were in high demand. He went on to work for several large construction companies as a carpenter and joiner, including some time working on liners for Cammell Laird.
Gates by Gates
Next in line came William’s son, Bill “Gates” Culshaw, who followed in his father’s footsteps, training as an apprentice with a construction company and then going onto achieve a City and Guilds qualification in Advanced Craft Carpentry and Joinery.
Bill served in the Naval Reserve as a Shipwright Mechanic Joiner. His entry test was to produce a drop-leaf table, which he did in record time and as a result he was given the job of refurbishing a horsebox for the Admiral’s wife.
After working for other firms, Bill finally founded his own carpentry and joinery business in the late eighties.
Handing over the baton
Next up is Jon, Bill’s son, who runs the business today. Jon followed the same path as his father, training and qualifying as a carpenter and joiner. He then went on to complete a City and Guilds Advanced Craft course and spent time gaining experience in the construction world before joining his father in the family business.
These days he can still be found in the workshop perfecting his craft and using some of his grandfather’s original tools to do it.
And finally
There’s Ted. Ruler of the roost and, let’s be honest, the real boss around here. Usually found fast asleep on the office chair, Ted is not a master craftsman but he is a very cute West Highland Terrier who keeps us, our customers and our sales reps entertained.
His favourite things are chicken, egg boxes and increasing his Facebook following (currently standing at 200!) and you can find regular updates about him in our blog posts.
