About Silver Birches
Global Leader in High-quality Labelling, Packaging, and Garment Accessories
1974 – A Modest Start
In October 1974, Mr. P. L. Harris stepped away from the Norcross Group (formerly P. P. Payne), bound by a two-year non-compete agreement. However, his son, Mr. C. B. Harris, aged 18, took the first steps toward building something new in his stead. Silver Birches was formed as a sole trader under his name that year with the initial premises being the Garden Shed at the family home which gave the company its name.
1975-1976 – Early Growth
By the end of 1975, the business had outgrown its humble beginnings and moved into a rented 200-square-foot workspace. The first employee joined in January 1976, and in November of that year, with Mr. P. L. Harris free from his non-compete, The Silver Birches Label Co. Ltd. was officially incorporated with Mr. P. L. Harris, Mrs I. C. Harris and Mr. C. B. Harris as Directors/Shareholders, and Mr. J. Larkin as Sales Director.
1977 – Scaling Up
In February 1977, Silver Birches relocated to larger premises on Lenton Street, Sandiacre, Nottingham, marking the start of a new chapter in the company’s growth.
1982 – Establishing a Base
After years of steady progress, Silver Birches purchased its own premises at Birch House on Nottingham Road, Attenborough. This pivotal move enabled the company to double its turnover within two years and expand its workforce, including the addition of Mrs. A. Harris to oversee the commercial printing division.
1980s-1990s – Sustained Expansion
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, turnover tripled as the company expanded operations and introduced a two-shift, seven-day production schedule to meet increasing demand. By 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Harris Sr. retired, entrusting the next generation to lead the business forward.
1990s – International Expansion
In response to changes in UK manufacturing, Silver Birches formed a partnership with a manufacturing unit in Hong Kong in the late 1990s. This collaboration led to the creation of Silver Birches Far East based in Hong Kong in January 2001.
2000s-2010s – Global Presence
Silver Birches Far East grew rapidly, relocating several times to accommodate demand. By the late 2000s, it operated a 9,000-square-foot facility in Hong Kong’s Tsuen Wan District. In 2008, Mr. C. J. Harris joined the company in Hong Kong, representing the third generation of family leadership.
2020 – Adapting to Challenges
Despite the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Silver Birches continued operations in both the UK and Hong Kong, maintaining its product range and even expanding into new trims and haberdashery lines. The company’s resilience ensured uninterrupted service to its customers.
2024 – Leadership Transition
In 2024, Mr. C. B. Harris and Mrs. A. Harris retired, passing the reins to Mr. C. J. Harris and Ms. G. L. Bryant, who returned from Hong Kong to take over operations in the UK. This transition marked the beginning of a new era for Silver Birches.
From its origins in a garden shed to its evolution as an internationally recognized specialist in labels and packaging, Silver Birches Label Co. Ltd. remains committed to innovation, quality, and meeting the needs of its customers worldwide.