This September, we’re incredibly proud to be celebrating 45 years of Pellacraft.
A lot has changed since 1981. Our products have evolved, our team has grown and the promotional merchandise industry looks very different now, but the values at the heart of our family business remain the same.
Let’s take a look back at where it all began…
It All Started with Coal
Pellacraft was founded by Steve and Rosemary Pella from their family home in Annesley, with its roots firmly connected to Nottinghamshire’s mining history.
Steve began by setting coal resin into jewellery in the family garage before travelling around local pits selling and showing the pieces, while Rosemary hosted jewellery parties.
During one visit to a pit, Steve was asked whether he could supply some pens printed with the pit’s logo. His answer was an enthusiastic “Of course!”, despite not really knowing where to start.
A call to Parker Pens followed and they confirmed it was something they could help with. That request opened the door to promotional merchandise, and in 1981, Pellacraft was born.
A Family Business from the Start
Steve and Rosemary’s daughters, Sam and Nicola, became involved in the business from a very young age.
Sam recalls, “When I was about six, my younger sister Nicola and I did our first exhibition at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. We had our little stand where we would polish coal offcuts, put googly eyes on them and sell them for 20p.”
Both later joined Pellacraft after leaving school, gaining experience across different areas of the company before eventually taking the reins themselves.
Today, Pellacraft remains proudly family-run, with Sam and Nicola continuing what their parents started 45 years ago while remaining very much hands-on in the business.
Our Home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
In 1994, Steve and Rosemary moved Pellacraft into one room at Hermitage House in Mansfield. Today, we have the whole building!
That growth has been supported by strong supplier relationships, a dedicated team and, most importantly, customers who have chosen to work with us time and time again. Much of Pellacraft’s business has been built through recommendations and repeat customers, with some relationships even stretching back to contacts from those early coal days.
Over the years, we’ve continued to adapt too. The products we source and the services we provide have changed alongside the needs of our customers. There was no need for a portable phone charger in 1981!
Some Things Haven’t Changed
While Pellacraft has evolved considerably over four and a half decades, our approach to doing business hasn’t.
We still believe in keeping our promises, providing quality our customers can rely on and taking the time to understand what they’re trying to achieve before recommending a solution. We’re not interested in selling someone something they don’t need. We’re all about creating relationships that last.
What’s Next?
From coal jewellery made in a family garage to supplying promotional merchandise to organisations across the UK, it’s been quite a journey.
Reaching 45 years wouldn’t have been possible without the customers, colleagues and suppliers who have supported Pellacraft along the way.
As we look towards the future, we’ll continue to explore new ideas and help our customers make better choices about their promotional merchandise, while holding onto the personal service and values that have been part of Pellacraft from the beginning.
To everyone who has been part of the Pellacraft story so far, thank you!