Haws
Watering cans to last a lifetime, from the world’s oldest manufacturer of its kind
- Location Smethwick, West Midlands
- Working on Plant care; long-term jobs; challenging disposable culture
It is, arguably, hard to get too excited about a watering can. But at Haws, getting excited about watering cans is pretty much all they do. Made in England for over 130 years, these traditional plantcare products are beautifully sleek yet pleasingly sturdy. Note the elegant detachable “roses” (the sweet name for a watering can’s sprinkler head), which can be changed for a customised spritz depending on what you’re hydrating.
Crucially, if your Haws watering can gets damaged, the company will fix it at their repair shop. Repairing products (rather than simply chucking and replacing) is integral to creating a more sustainable circular economy. And Haws has offered this service for over 40 years, since long before the phrase “circular economy” meant anything to most folk - making them low-key horticultural trailblazers. No wonder they’re a favourite brand of two of the UK’s biggest gardening legends (Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh, obviously).
Why they are different:
Whether you’re growing your own veg or just want to keep a temperamental fiddle leaf fig happy, Haws will help you do it in style. Each of the brand’s watering cans is designed to last a lifetime, and crafted from materials painstakingly chosen for their durability and elegance: think hot dipped galvanised steel and gleaming copper.
Why they are kind:
Haws’ repair service isn’t the only way they show their commitment to making things last. On average, a Haws employee stays with the business for an impressive 17 years. It’s an impressive stat that points to a positive workplace - and a reminder that whether we’re talking about products or people, newer doesn’t always mean better.
