PLACEMENT 2015 Christopher Reid
MARCH - JUNE 2015
CONTENT
COMPANY INTRODUCTION
CUSTOMER PROFILE
WORK & PROJECTS
PRODUCT INFORMATION
FEEDBACK
REFLECTION
Company Introduction
The Company was founded in the early 1980’s as a manufacturer of fishing and shooting bags by a local businessman, John Chapman, who still lives close to our Carlisle workshops. From nothing, he created a thriving business selling British made bags all over the world. The Company has been established for many years in Cumbria, England. The natural beauty of the surrounding Lake District and Borders has provided much of the inspiration for our canvas, leather and tweed bags. A number of our bags are named after local places and pastimes. Most of our employees are Cumbrian born and bred. While some have been with the Company for much of their working lives, we are also committed to taking on and training young people, an investment essential to maintaining the technical and craft skills required to manufacture in England. We recently launched three new apprentice programmes. The Company manufactures for numerous clothing and accessories’ designers and brands and we offer a full design, sampling, sourcing and production service. Our Carlisle manufacturing facility has been significantly expanded and upgraded to cater for a wide range of bag making requirements. We also manufacture industrial bags and related products, including specialist covers for various types of machinery and electrical equipment. We manufacture for a number of businesses for their particular corporate needs, including well known consumer brands and financial services companies.
Company Introduction
PHIL Meet our specialist cutter, who has been in the trade more than 30 years. After studying at collage he wanted to test his skills and took the job as a material cutter at Chapman Bags.
Meet the team
Company Introduction
Meet the team
When it comes to cutting, tools are the most important part of Phils job. From marking up to cutting this ensures a high quality product everytime. Cutting everything by hand just like we used to, them many years ago in John Chapmans garage, this ensure we keep to our roots and create a perfect hand crafted product.
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Can’t beat a French Chalk
Company Introduction
Meet the team
GILES Meet our factory manager and experienced bag designer. After being in the trade for more than 30 year and traveling the globe he knows everything there is to bags and fashion.
Company Company Introduction Introduction
Meet Meet the the team team
Company Introduction
Meet the team
Company Introduction
As well as being the manager he’s always keen to get stuck in and get his hands dirty to make sure every product that leaves the door has his stamp of approval. With many years of experience under his belt he’s the best person to turn to when you want to solve a problem.
Meet the team
Company Introduction
KATE & VANESSA Meet our two skilled designers, both graduates in fashion & design from the Univeristy of Leeds. Design is the heart of any good product, and these two designers make sure Chapman Bags stays at the top of its game. They both have a passion for what they do and they cover all areas of design and production to create that special product for Chapman Bags and all the clients we work with.
Meet the team
Vanessa Joined Chapmans as a Sample machinist, she creates sample bags for clients wanting to design and make a bag. Vanessa quickly progessed and ater working for more than two years with us she is regarded a a key member in making the business run smoothly. As well as working as a machinist she also works very closely with Kate to make sure patterns and designs are correct before production.
This is Kate our design manager and has been with Chapmans for 4 years. After leaving University with a degree in Fashion & Design she always had her mind set on a career in fashion. Kate has been the design manager for 2 years and works in all areas of design and production, from pattern making to specialist, bespoke one off products, Kate is there to save the day. She doesn’t just design but also works very closely with our clients and both Kate and Venessa make sure the clients problems and questions are answered. After working very closely with Kate and Vanessa fo the past 3 months I have noticed how important their job is at Chapmans and every job they do is done to the highest standard.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
DOREEN Say hello to our Assistant factory manager at Chapmans. Doreen has worked along side the managers at Chapmans for more than 20 years. One of the longest serving employees, Doreen is seen as the one to turn to when you want something solving.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
The Jack of all trades
Although Doreen has been there for many years she is not afraid to get her hands dirty and make sure each job goes out on time and is of a high standard. Working on bags and fittings to mail orders and goods in and out, Doreen covers it all.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
SEAN Meet our skilled leather worker and machinist. After being employed as a machinist 3 years ago, Sean has been taught on the job and has been practicing his leather work and machine skills to bring him to where he is today.
Sean is regarded as a key member in the team and a good example of a hard working craftsman.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
Company Introduction
Meet the team
Sean is a great member to have in the chapmans team and has many skills that come in handy everyday. Working as a machinist and leather worker he has been developing skills whilst on the job and works on all areas from cutting to handstiching and even binding, its safe to say that Sean is a skilled man. After working in many different factories and trades he has developed skills that come in to use everyday and with the help from Giles our factory mananger he is now becoming more experienced in the world of leather. Since starting in 2012 its clear to see that Sean is now one of the key members in keeping business running and product looking their best.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
THE MACHINISTS Meet our ten highly skilled machinists that come from all different work backgrounds and all have their own unique skills. From binding to sewing the straightest line, If you want something making these are the people to see.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
The Machinists are the beating heart of the team and are regarded as one of the most important part of the Chapmans team. They make sure that all the bags and products are completed to the highest standards. They all have their own machine and workspace that they customise to their specifications.
Company Introduction
Meet the team
The team at Chapmans is a special one and everyone feels very close. This makes for a happy workplace but also ensures good communication and work motivation.
Company Introduction
Success & Products
COMPANY SUCCESS & PRODUCTS
Company Introduction
Advertising and growning as a business is important and there’s no better way than publicity in popular magazines and newspapers.
Success & Products
Company Introduction
Success & Products
Company Introduction
Reiver Briefcase Cargo Boot Bag
Laptop Cases
Success & Products
Work & Projects
DESIGN WORK & PROJECTS
Work & Projects
JAK Bags
Work & Projects
JAK Bags
Work & Projects
After working so hard to make the JAK a reality and making sure it was a quality product I went through many stages and hurdles that I had to overcome and correct, to make sure that the bag was in full working condition.
JAK Bags
Work & Projects
JAK was a first year major project and after only being a prototype and a concept I wanted to make it a reality by redesigning and making the JAK myself. After lots of work and preperation I finaly got the logo pressed into the leather and the bag made waterproof, which is a first for casual day bags. I designed this bag after frustration with the bags that are already out on the market and not to the standard I believe a quality bag should be.
JAK Bags
Work & Projects
The Leather Tool Roll
THE LEATHER TOOL ROLL The Leather Tool Roll, Is a unique hand crafted, fully leather case that allows the user to store their work tools, bike repair kit or their everyday maintenance kit. Keeping it in a simple leather roll allows for easy transport and adds that stylish look to those important tools.
Work & Projects
The Leather Tool Roll
Designing the pattern is the first stage of production, once the pattern is correct manufacturing can take place.
Work & Projects
Once the material is cut and the panels are sewn the leather was then stained around the edges and tested to make sure the product was working properly.
The Leather Tool Roll
Work & Projects
The Saxophone Case
THE SAXOPHONE CASE The Saxophone case is designed by myself for a client that came into the factory wanting a case to cover his Saxophone. This was designed and made by myself using skills that I have learnt at Chapman Bags. It was a great way for me to communicate with a real client and work for someone who was going to purchase a product I made.
Work & Projects
The Saxophone Case
This is the pattern stage of production, this is the most important stage because the patterns need to be perfect to ensure the bag functions correctly. In this case I got all the sizes for the Saxophone case and drew it out of paper. If you are doing a one off bag you use paper and if you are making a bag for production you use a heavier card.
Work & Projects
The Saxophone Case
Work & Projects
The Saxophone Case
From sketching out the design to putting the final logo on, attention to detail at Chapmans is everything. I have been taught to sew, design patterns and add that finishing touch, to make a speciel product for our clients.
Work & Projects
Belts & Accessories
Work & Projects
Belts & Accessories
To finish off the belt I used a Post Bed sewing machine and straight line feed guide to complete a stitch around the belt to create a robust and durable belt. I then went on to use press studs to secure the buckle.
B E LT S & A C C E S S O R I E S
T H E L E AT H E R WA L L E T
Work & Projects
Belts & Accessories
After practicing many different skills, working with leather is one of the hardest areas to work in. I have be taught cutting, staining, gluing and finishing leather which I put to practice in this leather wallet.
Work & Projects
Belts & Accessories
Work & Projects
Team Work
TEAM WORK Working as part of a team is very important at Chapman Bags, and its hard to function without the quality and skills that each member brings to the team. From design to production each stage is important to get right.
Work & Projects
Team Work
Work & Projects
Team Work
From designing the Logo on Illustrator the next stage was to send the design to the tool maker team to create a dye for the press machine to be used on a clients bag.
Work & Projects
In this project I was in charge of designing and making sure the logo that was being sent off to the company was the right size and dimentions to fit on the bag. I felt that my contribution was strong within the group and I played a key role in making the end product meet the clients order requirments.
Team Work
Work & Projects
Product Info
Chapman Products As well as selling our own bags we also make bags for famous companies like Brompton, Holland & Holland, William Bees and many more British companies. We batch up the orders and charge trade price for the bags we make. This provides a much needed boost to the company that allows us to re-invest into new bags and products for Chapmans.
Chapman Bags is a unique company that doesn’t just make tradition British products but also helps UK and International companies get on their feet. With one off bags to small mail orders, at Chapman bags it is possible to make your bag ideas become a reality. Our own bags and products range from various price points from simple iPad cases for £45 to full leather bags for £399. This allows us to target a larger client market and develop strong links to increase sales and profits. Another area that is important to Chapman Bags is the materials and products they use on all their bags. From hand made fittings to the tradition Harris Tweed, all the items we use to create or bags are the real McCoy. The Harris Tweed we use on our bags is made in its original birth place on the Isle of Harris, all our materials and fixings are made in the UK to add to that Made In England authenticty.
Work & Projects
Product Info
FEEDBACK
Since starting my placement in March it is amazing how much I have learnt and skills I have developed over the 3 months. Learning areas from patterns to leather work I have been working in all different areas. I was chucked in at the deep end and was expected to start picking up new skills and test my skills very early on. The first project was to strip down a suitcase and measure all the different sections and patterns. This was then transferred to paper patterns. I was guided by the best and Giles, Phil and the design team made sure I was completing projects to their standards. All the way through the placement I had possitive feedback and was taught new ways to improve my skills. If I was doing something wrong or could do the job quicker and more efficiently, this would be brought to my attention. This was beneficial for me and was a great way for Giles and others in the Chapmans team to train me to their high standards. When I completed a job I would get it checked over by the design team and most importantly the man in
charge. I wanted to make sure the product was made to a high standard so going to Giles was a great way to find flaws or mistakes I could fix before the product left the door. The feedback I received from the Chapmans team was always contructive and was a great way to improve the products I was making. When I was making patterns, Giles noticed I could improve my pattern making and when he showed me a new technique, it made my job easier and I really did notice the diffence in the quality of the products. As well as my patterns improving I also wanted to improve my sewing skills and the perfect person to turn to was the machinists. Vanessa showed me different sewing techniques and ways to ensure the straightest lines and the perfect sewing edge. After looking back at my experience I have really appreciated the skilled team I have worked with and their skills and tips have helped me make sure I develop as a designer and my products and project reflect the help and skills I have learnt whilst being here.
REFLECTION After my two years at University I feel that going off to a placement has benefit me and going into the third year with the skills I have learnt has made me more confident in the work I produce. Right from the start I was always tested in all areas of design, from sketching out the design on paper to the product leaving the door. It was benefical to me that all the projects I did were real and there was always a client on the end of the line that we had to design the products for. This made it more stressful but rewarding, knowing that the product I was producing is being used and treasured by those buying them. Deadlines are important and whilst on placement I was on targets and deadlines to get jobs done on time but still to the high standards that Chapmans are renowned for. This was a good way to test my skills and put me under real life work situations to get jobs out the door to help the business grow. At the start of the placement I relied on help from members of the team but as I progressed through the placement I started to learn my own way of doing things and was trusted to use my own judgement to complete projects on time. Looking back at my placement I have noticed how many areas of design I have covered and how many skills I have developed whilst on placement, from the simplest umbrella cover to a technical saxophone case, my skills have been tested but most importantly I have walked away with a great new mind set to design and a new area that I could go on to do when I finish university.
Chris has been with us for over 3 Months now and his skills have improved daily. When he first started he was thrown in at the deep end and was asked to make a canvas bag for a saxophone. He had to work out the shape, patterns, parts and how it all went together and cut the material and parts and sew as well with a little help from others but not much he managed to put together a cracking bag. He realised how much work went into the simplest of items and started to understand the tasks it takes to make Items within our company. Every day he comes in with enthusiasm and learns something new and even when he was doing the simplest of tasks in the factory which is staining edges of leather the correct colour he did not complain and always seemed interested in what he was doing. We do hope that Chris has gone away with skills that will help him in the future and he is welcome to come back and make bags with us any time. All the best in your next adventure in life.
Giles W Anderson Factory Manager
Thank You All products and designs produced and made by Christopher Reid. Chapman Bags.