Haws INTERVIEW

We're back with a new 'Meet the Maker' interview. This week we sat down with Sarah from Haws to hear all about how they go about crafting the finest watering steel cans money can buy. So, sit back and enjoy reading about the wonderful craftsmanship that is at the heart of this great British brand.

SGB: Can you talk us through the manufacturing process and the craft skills used to create your products?

Sarah: We first start with a blank piece of steel. This is then cut, rolled and shaped by hand into all of the pieces you would think of when thinking about a watering can. The body, base, spout, cross stay, neck and handle. We then use hand presses and power presses to lock all the different components into place. We use a hard glue/sealant to make sure no leaks happen. This is then left for 48hours to cure. We wipe these down to make sure there are no sharp bits. Once this is done, we can take the cans for powder coating. Lastly, our signature Haws medallion is added, and there you have your finished product ready to be packed and shipped out to customers.

SGB: How do your craftspeople go about perfecting these skills? And how long does it take?

Sarah: Here at Haws, we have a small team of around 15. Mastering the art of making a Haws watering can isn’t a quick process — it takes months or even years of hands-on experience and attention to the smallest details. From soldering joints to shaping spouts, each technique is refined through repetition.

SGB: Let’s talk materials, at SGB the use of quality materials is important to us, can you tell us about the materials you use and why you use them?

Sarah: We use a high-quality galvanised steel, which we then powder coat in our Haws colours. With the Copper, we use a 0.4mm blank, and this is then cut and shaped and hand-polished to finish.

SGB: Your watering cans last a lifetime, which we feel is the best approach to sustainability. Do you think about sustainability when you're making the products, or is it simply an inherent quality of the traditional process you go through to handcraft your watering cans?

Sarah: Of course. This is one of the many things that Haws is renowned for. When you rely on traditional techniques and timeless design, durability comes naturally. We don’t need to chase trends or redesign. Our watering cans are built once, to last decades, not seasons. So yes, while we’re proud of the process, we’re even prouder that sustainability is a result of doing things the right way.

SGB: You are the world's oldest watering can manufacturer with a 130 year history. And you dedicate yourself to quality. When so many others are mass producing, why do you continue with traditional skills and how does that underpin your commitment to quality?

Sarah: We’ve honed traditional skills for over 130 years because they deliver lasting quality. Every watering can is hand-crafted with care, not mass-produced for speed. These time-tested techniques ensure strength, balance, and beauty — making our cans more than tools; they’re built to last generations.

SGB: How do you think the handcrafted nature of your pieces affects the final product?

Sarah: No two items will look the same. Each Haws watering can is a work of art and one to be treasured.

SGB: Haws Watering Cans is 130 years old, if you were to pinpoint one thing that stands you apart from other manufacturers, what would it be and why?

Sarah: For over 130 years, we’ve championed hand craftsmanship over mass production, ensuring each piece is thoughtfully designed, beautifully balanced, and built to last. It’s about creating something that feels good in your hands, performs flawlessly, and endures through generations.