Our experts have designed and created a unique range of theatre chairs, which we manufactured from tubular steel.
The directors of Kirwin & Simpson Seating approached Pipecraft to ascertain if we could assist with the design of a new range of tubular steel chairs suitable for the theatre environment. The chairs had very specific requirements: they must be capable of being stacked for storage, but they also needed to be linked together in rows when in use.
Kirwin & Simpson
The fourth-generation family business, with offices and manufacturing facilities in Essex and New York, specialises in seating solutions for theatres, cinemas and concert halls across the world: the company has created custom products for venues in London’s West End, across the UK and in the United States, Asia and Australia.
Kirwin & Simpson was founded in 1945 by Bernard Simpson. He had been running a factory commandeered for the war effort to make parachutes for GIs during World War II. He founded the company following a conversation with a local cinema manager, who lamented the fact his cinema’s seats were in poor condition, but there was no fabric available to refurbish them due to rationing.
Bernard realised that with a little creativity, he could cut up the old parachutes and transform them into smart seat covers to reupholster all the cinema’s dilapidated seating. Over the years, the company grew from its humble beginnings as a local upholsterer into the global innovator of today.
Theatre chair project
After we produced prototypes for Kirwin & Simpson’s American client, these were approved, and a production quantity was subsequently manufactured. The mild steel chair frames were brass plated and then upholstered by our client, who was extremely pleased with both the quality, speed and flexibility of our service.
Showcasing our various in-house production facilities, including tube mandrel bending and tube rolling and fabrication; the chairs also exhibited a high cosmetic standard of Tig welding, plus design assistance and collaboration.
Contact us
If you have any custom projects requiring rube rolling, tube mandrel bending, Tig welding or other professional metalwork skills, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to discuss and collaborate on your project to come up with the best possible solution.
