In Michael Harding Art Formulas’ milestone 40th year, Michael sits down with Dean Willis of Adelphi Manufacturing to reflect on the extraordinary journey of a business that began in a bedroom and has become a globally respected name in fine art materials.
A Relationship Built on Trust
Over 30 Years of Collaboration
After purchasing his first tubes from Adelphi Group Chairman Stephen Holroyd in 1982, Michael first met Sales Director Dean Willis in 1993, when rising demand meant that manual filling and crimping could no longer keep pace with production needs.
“I started the business in my bedroom, with batches of 15-20 tubes, and only 20 colours!” Michael recalls.
Investing in an early Centrac filling machine was “a huge step forward, almost like getting electricity,” he laughs. The FCC manual tube closer further transformed production, enabling Michael to crimp one tube every three seconds - a dramatic increase in output.
Michael proudly shows Dean the original equipment, now visibly well-used but still fully operational almost 30 years later.
“Smaller-scale machinery is vital,” Michael explains. “It’s what enables businesses like mine to get going.”
Global Growth – “A Small Empire!”
Today, Michael Harding Art Formulas produces over 350 colours, has a global reputation for uncompromising quality, and counts artists such as Damien Hirst and David Hockney among its advocates.
The business employs 14 dedicated staff and exports to more than 30 countries worldwide.
Production Engineer John Slatter jokes, “It’s a small empire – we’re taking over the world!”
The company’s success was further recognised when it was featured in the Parliamentary Review (2016/17), highlighting nationally leading businesses of “opportunity and aspiration,” introduced by then Prime Minister The Rt Hon Theresa May MP.
Automation Enables Exponential Expansion
Over the past five years, Michael Harding Art Formulas has invested in additional automation to meet continued growth in demand.
TGM S400 – At a Glance
Fully automatic filling of oil paints into 40ml, 60ml and 225ml tubes
Exceptional output of 45 tubes per minute
5,000 tubes of two colours processed per day, including infeed, sensor orientation, filling, double-crimping, outfeed, stripping and cleaning
When filling a single colour, output would be “easily 8,000 per day,” says John
316L stainless steel wetted parts, cleaned using a kerosene mix between colours
Additional air-assisted rams on the upward stroke of the filling piston, due to the thickness of oil paint
On Adelphi support, John comments:
“Whenever I have a query, Dean gets back to me - he’s good as gold!”
TGM E250Matic – The Most Recent Investment
Fully automatic filling of watercolours into 15ml tubes
Operator Leigh Carrick says:
“It’s really reliable. It puts a smile on your face to see it running so well - it’s rare to get a problem now.”
With recipe recall, Leigh describes the interface as:
“User-friendly. I don’t really have to touch any of it now,” saving significant time during changeovers and setup.
Meticulous Craftsmanship at Its Finest
Michael Harding is now the only manufacturer in the world still producing Stack Lead White, using a technique dating back to 4,000 BC.
This painstaking process involves:
“Suspending lead strips over vinegar and burying them beneath horse manure for no less than three months.”
Artists value the proven, premium quality of Michael’s colours, which allow creative ambitions to be realised more fully than with lower-grade alternatives.
Adelphi Manufacturing shares this philosophy, producing machinery built exclusively from premium materials such as 316L pharmaceutical-grade stainless steel. Both companies are distinguished within their industries by the standards they uphold in craftsmanship and quality.
Reliability, Consistency and Quality
Michael’s newest machines now operate 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, delivering highly accurate, consistent fills verified through in-house check-weighing.
For both Michael and Dean, reliability, consistency and quality are non-negotiable.
Tradition, Values and Enduring Appeal
In 2022, both companies celebrate landmark anniversaries - 40 years for Michael Harding Art Formulas and 75 years for Adelphi Manufacturing.
Michael marks the occasion by releasing 40 new watercolours, while Adelphi Manufacturing hosts a programme of celebratory events supporting their Charity of the Year, Martlets Hospice.
Both Michael and Dean share a deep respect for company heritage, carefully preserving historical artefacts from their businesses. With Adelphi’s on-site historical displays growing weekly and Michael’s ambition to establish a museum, tradition is clearly cherished.
This respect extends to the way both businesses operate. Michael describes the trust he has in Adelphi and Dean as a result of their comprehensive after-sales care and service:
“We haven’t received this with all companies,” he says, adding:
“Sometimes it takes a month or two of using a machine before you realise a feature that could make things more convenient. I know I can always speak to Dean, and he will find a solution.”
The Verdict
“We’d obviously recommend the machines,” Michael concludes.
“If someone walked in the door today, we’d show them our tube fillers!”
