Stanwell Pipes

Stanwell - the sad news Stanwell was bought by Scandinavian Tobacco Group who moved production to Italy, and who have now decided that they won’t be supplying smaller markets any longer. They will concentrate on the USA. We contacted Stanwell to ask could we place a last order for the 9mm shapes we usually get. The reply: “Unfortunately, when the decision was made for the brand to transition from Denmark to the United States the conversation was to reduce and eliminate certain lines, several of which you are requesting. 9mm pipes are not wildly popular in the US therefore again we are selling through what is remaining.” and “With the transition of the brand to the US we will not be producing additional units at this time.” I received the impression that they would be opening an office in the USA, but that the manufacture would remain in Europe. No more recent confirmation either way. On an Internet search I see that Chris, who worked for Stanwell for many years, confirms that the USA market will take precedence; that other markets, including Europe, won’t be serviced. This means that Stanwell pipes are now discontinued except for the American market. We have been closely associated with Stanwell for many years. We even had a range of pipes made for us by Stanwell in 1976. We called it “Roskilde” after the nearby town where Paul Stanwell took us to visit the Cathedral. I remember vividly Colin and I sitting in the office of Mr Paul Stanwell many years ago, doing the English text for their Bamboo Shank pipe. And a lunch in Umhlanga Rocks (I think) when Paul Stanwell visited South Africa. it really feels like the end of an era for us