News

POPULARITY of the finishing and colouring products by Hampshire Sheen has grown hugely in the last five year. As a result, in 2020, this dynamic company is to outsource its manufacturing whilst bringing food contact and toy safe compliance to the products.

After making over 14,000 pots of wax by hand in 2019, demand for the finishing products by UK based Hampshire Sheen has grown so much that developer Martin Saban-Smith has invited a specialist wax blending company to take on the manufacture of the range of products.

Since the products first became available in 2015, the finishes have been labelled ‘for decorative use only’ but now, with the experience and expertise of a specialist blender, the flagship High Gloss and Microcrystalline Wax products comply to food contact and toy safe regulations in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

“I’m so excited about this move!” says Martin “The food and toy safety compliance will encourage more people to pick up a tin, give it a go and enjoy it as much as the thousands of existing users. This also means, I should have extra time to reach more people through social and traditional media, teach and demonstrate more, too.”

Disheartened by the quality of finishes he was using when he started woodturning, Martin wanted a finish that met simple criteria: It should keep its shine with regular handling for considerably longer than other available waxes, whilst also being fingerprint and splash resistant. Hampshire Sheen was then developed through the summer of 2015 with a special blend using carnauba and microcrystalline waxes. Sales grew rapidly, and within a few months of the launch, it became clear that the Hampshire Sheen wax blend was on course for rapid growth.

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength with retailers in the UK, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and South Africa. The company produces a simple, highly effective and long lasting finishing system for woodturners that includes finishing and embellishing waxes, cellulose sealer, food and toy safe oil and an acrylic spray lacquer. The company also produces a range of 12 atmospheric water based dyes in the ‘Intrinsic Colour Collection’.

“The products I developed work brilliantly and it was important for me to ensure that Hampshire Sheen users receive the same quality product as when I was making them myself.” Martin says “The samples from the new manufacturer have not disappointed and I’m thrilled that Hampshire Sheen users will now be able to use the new products on a wider range of projects.”

Starting at the end of January, the new food contact and toy safe High Gloss and Microcrystalline waxes will start to be sent out to retailers.

Interested turners and woodworkers are encouraged to visit www.hampshiresheen.com to find out more information and to find their nearest distributor.