Dean Forge did you know…
Did you know Dean Forge is a family-run business established in 1969 in the hamlet of Dean Prior, nestled on the edge of Dartmoor? Dean Forge is now entering their third generation.
In 1969 Michael Chew, the grandfather of the business, designed and manufactured the first Dean Forge wood-burning stove. Michael Chew wanted the very local nature of the business to be reflected in the name of the first range – Herrick Stoves, named after the poet Robert Herrick, who lived in Dean Prior.
In 1994 Michael and his son Simon amalgamated their businesses together, to continue developing and expanding their range of wood and multi-fuel stoves. Dean Forge is now entering their third generation with Alice, Michael’s granddaughter, and her husband Jack. They both hope to bring new and fresh ideas to the business.
With the guidance of Michael, Simon, and their long-standing friend and the manager of Dean Forge Pat, the new generation is prepared to take the company to the next level. This also allows Simon to step back, to be able to focus on stove development and the manufacturing processes.
The whole team is very lucky to have a dedicated and established workforce behind them, who have vast expertise and experience in manufacturing and installing stoves.
All the Dean Forge stoves are manufactured in their own factory in Devon, with the doors cast in a British foundry.
This summer Dean Forge celebrates 51 years of engineering and manufacturing. Dean Forge has continued to follow a successful family tradition of quality craftsmanship.
Michael Chew the company director explained, “When I started the company, I used to make all sorts of products, and it quickly became apparent that wood-burning stoves would replace open fires, and this continues today”.
In the 1980’s they introduced glass to their stove doors, then a few years later the highly efficient and powerful preheated Clearburn airwash system, which is still used today.
Simon Chew the managing director claims “We feel that our stoves are not only user friendly, they are installer friendly too, and they are built to last for many years. I install stoves myself, and make possible changes to our products and respond to industry trends that today’s market demands”.
Simon continues, “From our early double door canopy Herrick stove to our now very successful Dartmoor Range of stoves, we produce highly refined and efficient ranges of wood and multi-fuel stoves that are in huge demand distributing stoves via a network of over 120 UK Stockists – exporting to countries such as Australia, Europe, and USA”.
The company Dean Forge is focusing on Eco-Efficiency and the 2022 efficiency standards. It is also expanding its product range, introducing additions like The Woodbury Clearburn Range.
Simon claims, “These stoves are incredibly efficient, and we are pleased that our customers can buy with confidence today and in the future”. The Woodbury Clearburn Range, first unveiled at the Hearth & Home Exhibition, Harrogate in June, was warmly received by industry experts and trade stockists”.
Today, Dean Forge offers five different model ranges: the Dartmoor range, including the Dartmoor Baker range, Woodbury range, Sherford range, Croft range, and an inset stove. Each collection range, except the inset stove, has three different leg sizes, most also have the choice of nine different colours, meaning you will always find a Dean Forge stove that suits your home and needs.
