History - click here to buy online now
Gloster first started making furniture exactly 50 years ago in West Africa in 1960. Firstly just for local market consumption but then, when they realised they were actually quite good at it, for export to Europe. From the start they were always both environmentally and ethically aware - they even used the discarded branches and tree stumps, which would otherwise have been burnt, to make the smaller components. Within ten years they became the largest furniture producer in Africa supplying components and finished furniture to many of the top indoor brands in Europe. In the 1970's they transferred their African factory's expertise to Asia so that they could have access to the plantation grown teak that was only available in Indonesia.
Thirty years ago, in 1981, they started the Gloster brand as a specialist, UK based manufacturer of teak garden benches and seats. Once again they were soon exporting our furniture all around the world. Over the 80's and 90's Gloster grew to be the principle high end worldwide brand for teak outdoor furniture. In April 1992 new owners took over the company and manufacturing was moved to their own factory in Indonesia. At the end of the 1990's Gloster diversified into different types of furniture, including folding chairs, dining tables and sunloungers. Now, fifty years since they started, they are worldwide leaders in teak, aluminium, stainless steel and now outdoor lounge furniture.
Whatever the material however, they believe that quality is everything - they do not cut any corners or manufacture their products to any price-point. You will probably be able to find cheaper outdoor furniture, but you won't find better.
Also key to their philosophy, is the belief that outdoor furniture is as important a style statement as indoor furniture, hence our range incorporates both classic and contemporary designs to cater for all tastes and requirements. And, as it was right at the start, they remain committed to green and ethical policies in everything we do.
We have stocked Gloster products in our shop since we first opened and they have consistently produced the best made and designed outdoor furniture across the market. We hope that you choose Gloster furniture for your home or business, and having done so enjoy it for many years to come.
Manufacturing
Gloster furniture is selected by the most demanding customers who insist on the best and so, they believe that they have to be the very best in all that they do - starting with the manufacturing.
Gloster has its own factory near Surabaya in Java, Indonesia which they started nearly 20 years ago. Here they use both traditional and modern methods to achieve production standards that usually exceed those of most other indoor and outdoor furniture manufacturers. Their factory is located close to the teak plantations, is run by a European management team and currently employs over 1,000 people.
In addition to teak, Gloster is expert in the use of a variety of materials for the manufacture of their furniture. Extensive use is made of stainless steel, powder coated aluminium, man-made wicker and sling material and there are specialist departments within the factory entirely devoted to the working of these materials to the same high standards as their teak components.
They also work in partnership with a few select manufacturers who have specialist skills and techniques that they do not have in their own manufacturing plant. These factories have been chosen because of their ability to produce the highest quality consistent with their standards.
Here are a few things that they think are special about their manufacturing...
They orbital sand all their teak with very fine sand paper (320 grit), which gives the furniture a surface finish that is extremely soft to the touch. Furthermore, sanding the furniture this way also reduces the amount the grain will rise after the timber has been exposed to moisture.
All Gloster furniture is tested to international standards and where there aren't any, they create their own. These tests not only cover the furniture, but also the packaging.
Their joints are all machined to exacting tolerances - a key feature that ensures their furniture will last longer outdoors compared to their competitors. Each piece of furniture is assembled and then subsequently disassembled in the factory before packaging as a last check to ensure it lives up to their high standards.
Although furniture with teak of varying colours will eventually mellow to an even colour when exposed to the sun, they colour grade every piece of teak that goes into their furniture to ensure that the furniture has the best possible colour right out of the box.
Their teak furniture comes with solid teak dowels for the assembly of the product. These dowels are pre-dried to have almost zero moisture content. After the furniture is assembled and the dowels knocked-in, they absorb the moisture from the air and the surrounding wood, expand and create an extremely strong joint.
Their stainless steel components are made of certified AISI 304 stainless steel. For the welding of stainless steel they use TIG welding technology to ensure that the welds are corrosion resistant and have a consistent, small welding bead.
Powder coated furniture is pre-treated by coating the aluminium with chromium prior to powder coating. This ensures maximum corrosion resistance and coating adhesion.
To ensure maximum strength and corrosion resistance, they use one of the aluminium alloys (A356.2) commonly used in the aviation and automotive industry for the cast component in their aluminium furniture.