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Artwork for The Factory Next Door

The Factory Next Door

Steve Duke
British Manufacturing
Craftsmanship
Sustainability
Education
Three-Piece Suit
Bespoke Tailoring
The Tailoring Academy
Aveva
Additive Manufacturing
Macclesfield
Luciano Pavarotti
Dumfries House
Sheffield
The King’s Foundation
Traditional Skills
Gusbourne
The Albert Slipper
Apex Additive Technologies
Apiar
UK Manufacturing

What’s on your list of the greatest products made in Britain?

Join economics journalist Steve Duke as he criss-crosses the island to meet the people still making things in our factories and workshops. Hear the stories behind some of our most iconic products, told by the people crafting them.

Series 6 (numbers 51 to 60 on our list) arrives late summer.

“A gem of a series” – Podcast Rex

“Thoughtful ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes57Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipArtsDesignBusiness

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Artwork for The Factory Next Door

Latest Episodes

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 hours hangi... more

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. Many business ... more

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 compilations... more

When you’ve been learning your craft for almost two and a half centuries, you can confidently call yourself ‘the world’s finest’. John Smedley have been making their knitwear in Derbyshire since 1784.

Number 50 on our list of the greatest things we ... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Emma Willis
Shirtmaker and owner of Emma Willis
Emma Willis Shirtmaker
Episode: Most replayed moments. The greatest business strategy
Paul Jacobs
Resident in the Netherlands, involved in scissor-making history
Ernest Wright / Scissor maker
Episode: Most replayed moments. Why I bought a British factory
Nick Wright
Descendant involved with Ernest Wright, helped with funding
Ernest Wright (family business)
Episode: Most replayed moments. Why I bought a British factory
Jess McGuire Dudley
Managing Director
John Smedley
Episode: 50. The Knitted Polo Shirt
Andy (Andrew)
Shop floor worker in knitting and equipment area
John Smedley
Episode: 50. The Knitted Polo Shirt
Michael James
Director at Springline in charge of development of product release
Springline
Episode: Bonus Ep. Northampton. How to grow our shoe industry
Chris Woodford
Pattern cutter and owner of Crown Northampton
Crown Northampton
Episode: Bonus Ep. Northampton. How to grow our shoe industry
William Church
Joint Managing Director and Co-Owner
Cheaney Shoes Ltd.
Episode: Bonus Ep. Northampton. How to grow our shoe industry
Chris Brawn
Founder of Wills Marquees
Wills Marquees
Episode: 48. The Wedding Tent

Host

Steve Duke
Host and economics journalist focusing on British manufacturing and heritage brands

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 206 ratings
  • Lovely podcast

    Really nice insight into very interesting business crafts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A Westbury's K
    Ireland3 months ago
  • A little hit of positivity

    In a country being run into the ground by a government who couldn’t be trusted to even run a bath, I was looking for some positivity about manufacturing in my beloved country. I found it here, definitely feel-good and gave me a little shot of optimism. It is now 2026 and these podcasts are from 3 years ago, so I sincerely hope these little businesses are still functioning and have not been forced to close because of the new regulations imposed by the current crop of politicians.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    2Br2
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Love it

    I’m not in the UK, but love the stories of companies who are truly building things. My fave was the one about Curry & Paxton, which not only had a fascinating history, but also got me to buy a pair of their frames. Keep it up Steve!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    benry
    Canada5 months ago
  • It’s like we’re touring the factory with him

    So refreshing to have a break from the usual conversational podcasts and to go on an actual tour of the factories with Steve. It really feels like we’re with him and I’m loving the stories. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eade1
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Wonderful

    I love learning about all the creative makers in The Factory Next Door! I feel like I am exploring the factory with Steve, sitting beside him while listening to the wonderful, wholesome people that he interviews!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VVB-R
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great for listeners who love detailed factory tours and stories behind products
A warm, life-affirming tour of British makers
Shows the human side of manufacturing and entrepreneurship
High-quality storytelling with practical production insights
Inspiring and positive about UK craftsmanship

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

34. The Glass Lampshade
Q: And what time did you feel this is it, we've made it, we're a success?
We never feel that we've made it; the bar was set low to begin with, and success is incremental—getting to a point where you can pay wages and sustain the craft while expanding thoughtfully.
34. The Glass Lampshade
Q: Describe to me what we're seeing.
We're in the hot workshop, with a furnace running 24/7, two benches producing decorative glass lighting, and the process of melting, gathering, and shaping glass at the bench.
42. The Mountain Shirt
Q: Okay, James, I'm going to start with you. Just tell me where we are right now.
We are in the Buffalo workshop, the Old Dairy in Sheffield, discussing the production floor, the ethos of keeping manufacturing in the UK, and our plans to expand while preserving the brand's heritage.
46. The Luxury Lingerie
Q: What's the most difficult piece to make and why?
The Tracy range, made from leather and tulle with tassels, is particularly tricky due to leather's for-cutting challenges, requiring pieces to be cut individually and complicating costings.
46. The Luxury Lingerie
Q: Tell me about this building.
Naomi explains the space began as a chapel and was repurposed into a factory; they rent the space after the original owner AJM Sewing went bust, and they kept many former workers, which helped them grow.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Factory Next Door

What is The Factory Next Door about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtfully paced exploration of Britain's manufacturing heart, focusing on how small and heritage factories keep traditional crafts alive while embracing modern challenges. Episodes center on factory tours, founder and worker stories, succession, supply chains, and the emotional and social value of making things at home. A recurring thread is the human side of production—family dynamics, pride in craftsmanship, and the tension between heritage and modernization—with hosts highlighting brands from pottery and scissors to knitwear and fashion. A notable strength is the host's on-site, conversational approach that makes intricate production processes accessible and inspiring, often weaving in brand revival narratives and industry-wide chal... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Factory Next Door?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Factory Next Door:

1. The Louis Theroux Podcast
2. Desert Island Discs
3. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
4. Ramblings
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of The Factory Next Door are there?

The Factory Next Door launched 3 years ago and published 57 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Factory Next Door?

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What guests have appeared on The Factory Next Door?

Recent guests on The Factory Next Door include:

1. Emma Willis
2. Paul Jacobs
3. Nick Wright
4. Jess McGuire Dudley
5. Andy (Andrew)
6. Michael James
7. Chris Woodford
8. William Church

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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