The story of Abrahams & Carlisle...
began in 1952 when founders Douglas Abrahams and Clifford Carlisle were working as foremen joiners for a local building firm.
Having taken the plunge to ‘have a go’ at setting up on their own, they rented workshop space above a garage in Marshall Street, off Manchester Road, Bradford. The award of a large joinery contract led to the fledgling company taking on skilled staff, which necessitated the move to larger premises twelve months later in the old Hammonds Brewery stables in Crowther Street, Bradford.
A reputation for quality output...
soon attracted a number of house building customers and in 1968, the company moved to its present base at Carlham Works, Newman Street, where the facilities compromised a 10,000 square foot workshop and two small offices.
During these early years a policy was established to perpetuate the traditions of craftsmanship in wood reflected in the recruitment and training of new apprentices every year. This policy is upheld to this day.
In 1983, a 2,500 square foot extension was constructed above the existing works, providing spacious offices and freeing up valuable shop floor space.
Quality assurance & expansion
1992 saw Abrahams & Carlisle gaining the all-important BS5750 Part 2 Quality Assurance Certification, which later became ISO 9001. In 1996 the workshop added an additional 10,000 sq ft.
In 2005 Abrahams & Carlisle increased the manufacturing facilities by 10,000 sq.ft totalling 35,000 square feet and has become a nationally respected name, with a turnover approaching £8 million .
Abrahams & Carlisle now employs up to 100 apprentice-trained joiners who work on general and specialist projects across the country. A quality-assured team of specialist sub-contractors are employed by Abrahams & Carlisle to cover all related aspects of building, electrical, mechanical, decorating and soft furnishing requirements.