The history of Bowers Group’s Moore & Wright brand is being highlighted by the Hawley Tool Collection at its new ‘Britain’s Tool Factory’ exhibition at the Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield. With a history dating back over 100 years, Moore & Wright is famous for its huge range of tools and measuring equipment, and this exhibition tells the story of the brand and its products, as well as some of its former employees.

Ellie Skinner, Bowers Group’s marketing manager, said: “This new exhibition really demonstrates the impact that Moore & Wright has had throughout its history, and it is exciting to have our brand being celebrated in its birthplace. Sheffield has such an important legacy in industrial and manufacturing Britain, and this display really encapsulates the history of Moore & Wright — from the earliest tools manufactured to the latest in our line of digital micrometers. The team at the Hawley Tool Collection has done an incredible job.

“Moore and Wright is still one of the most prominent names in precision measurement around the world. Visitors can re-live the experiences of former apprentices — such as David Barber, John Peace, and Steve Nettleship — while archived photographs capture the company’s vibrant community spirit. For those who have connections to Moore and Wright, the exhibition presents an opportunity to reconnect and maybe even spot familiar faces among the displayed images.

“Today, as part of the Bowers Group, Moore & Wright remains dedicated to upholding its legacy of craftsmanship and precision while embracing new technologies to drive continued growth and success in the global market. The Moore & Wright exhibition is expected to be displayed within the Hawley Gallery, alongside the wider Hawley Collection, until the later part of 2024.”

The Hawley Collection is an ‘internationally important’ material record of tool making, cutlery manufacture, and silversmithing from Sheffield, created and hosted by a team of volunteers. Funded by donations and grants from the likes of the Heritage Lottery Fund, this collection offers ‘a unique glimpse into the city’s manufacturing heritage by showcasing tools both old and new, and providing an insight into the intricate processes involved in creating them’.