Our Story
Steve – Owner, Upholsterer, Frame Maker and Designer
I began my journey in the upholstery industry immediately after leaving school, working for several
well-established upholstery shops specializing in bespoke furniture design and production. This is where I mastered modern upholstery techniques, furniture frame construction and sewing. These formative years provided me with a solid foundation for the trade and enabled me to specialize in
custom-designed furniture.
In 2019, I turned my lifelong dream into reality by founding Industrial Upholstery. Starting in my
garage with just an old compressor and a second-hand sewing machine, my passion and drive quickly propelled the business forward. Today, Industrial Upholstery operates from a modern workshop and has grown into a team of five talented professionals.
Truth or maybe a Myth – Steve is known to be one of the fastest in the trade at reloading a staple
gun with his eyes closed, wearing a pair of oven gloves and under water!
Gemma – Designer & Sales Lead
Meet Gemma, our design guru and all-around organisational powerhouse at Industrial Upholstery.
As our lead designer, she combines style with functionality to create custom upholstery pieces
tailored to each client’s vision. Gemma also manages sales and keeps the admin side running seamlessly, making sure every project stays on track and our clients are thrilled with the process from start to finish.
Outside of work, Gemma has a rather unique skill: she can parallel park a van in the tightest of spaces without breaking a sweat—truly a parking ninja!
Alan – Master Craftsman & Frame Specialist
With over 25 years of experience in the upholstery trade, Alan is the backbone of our bespoke and traditional frame-making at Industrial Upholstery.
His craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure each frame is built to last, providing the perfect foundation for our custom pieces. Alan’s expertise spans all aspects of the trade, from intricate joinery to custom shaping, making him an irreplaceable part of our team.
Outside of the workshop, Alan is a self-proclaimed “tea-brewing perfectionist,” capable of crafting
the ideal cup for any occasion—an essential skill for keeping the team fueled and inspired!
Dave – Master Upholsterer
Dave brings over a decade of experience to our team as a skilled furniture upholsterer. With a keen eye for detail and expertise in modern upholstery techniques, he ensures that each piece meets our highest standards of craftsmanship. From precision sewing to flawless finishes, Dave’s work embodies the elegance and quality our clients expect.
Dave’s hidden talent is that he can nap anywhere, anytime—he once fell asleep in the middle of a
team meeting, only to wake up and claim he was “testing the comfort of the chairs!”