The Factory

The Factory is an innovation space for making, digital fabrication and product design in the heart of South Bristol.

Run by Knowle West Media Centre and based in Filwood Green Business Park, KWMC: The Factory offers laser and CNC cutting facilities, product design and prototyping services, and opportunities for training and business support.

From making furniture, signage, installations and exhibitions to creating prototypes and new designs, our friendly team can help you with your making needs.

The Factory also offers a programme of residencies, training courses and volunteer opportunities, providing support and advice for those looking to develop these new skills into a career or business of their own.

A full list of our services can be found below. To organise a visit or consultation please get in touch with our technicians Fiona and Tom by calling 0117 403 2306.

The History of The Factory

The Factory has its roots in the Eagle House Pop Up Furniture Factory – a six-month pilot programme that offered training and employment to Knowle West residents from a temporary base in a disused former youth centre. During our time as leaseholders of Eagle House, we worked with a team of artists, makers and local people to complete a large commission for MIDAS and Bristol City Council to kit out Filwood Green Business Park, making nearly 500 pieces of bespoke wooden furniture. In May 2015 we moved our manufacturing enterprise into one of the new business units at the Business Park and it was renamed KWMC: The Factory.

In 2015 The Guild of Guardians presented its prestigious Alfred Telling Award to The Factory; the annual award recognises an entrepreneur starting their own business in a manual trade in the Bristol area.