Best UK Moulding Supplier

[Jaybrandnew]

Hey all
Im very new to the trade and very much at the practice stage at the moment.

Can I politely ask the forum members who they would consider the best overall finished moulding suppliers in the UK?

When I say best I mean service, price, range/choice etc overall.

I got a few practice lengths from Mainline who seemed fine and the lengths arrived quickly and in good condition.

What are your thoughts please?
All the best
James

[fitz]

I’ve been in business for several years and my main supplier is Lion. They have a large selection of mouldings and are great at sending samples of anything you ask for to show to customers. Other suppliers do this as well but not as energetically as Lion in my experience. Most of my customers choose from the Lion range although I do have numerous samples from Wessex, Centrado and Ashworth and Thompson. What I like about Lion is that even from Perthshire in Scotland I can place an order before 12 noon and I know it will arrive next day in 99% of the time. There are occasionally quality issues with mouldings arriving with damaged sections. I have never had any problem getting these replaced without quibble and often use their chop service which is a guarantee of damage free moulding. All the suppliers have increased their prices lately for various reasons. I guess it is more about building up confidence in a supplier and sticking with them.

[Fruitini]

Hi James! Welcome to the forum.

Most suppliers sell a very similar range of core mouldings. If you spread your offerings over a few suppliers you won’t be able to build up your purchase volumes to secure the very best discounts so as a start up it makes sense in the first instance to build up a relationship with one supplier, which I’m glad it appears you are doing!

Each supplier will have pros and cons. And all framers will have their favourites. Once you have secured the best price - ease of doing business is the most important - ordering, delivery and rectifying problems/credits. Lion are the leaders of this for me. Their website is first class, very easy to navigate and search. Deliveries are reliable, well packaged and any issues are dealt with same day and credits issued quickly. Centrado come a close second. Their customer focus is excellent and innovative. The were way ahead of all the others during covid with support and advice. LJ and Simons probably carrying the biggest range but for me quality and service slips a bit.

[Gesso&Bole]

Hi James

Welcome to the forum.

Your choice of supplier is going to come down to geography, the type of framing that you are doing, and the personal relationships that you will build with specific suppliers. My advice would be to build a good relationship with one supplier, rather than getting bits here and there. This will help you to keep the carriage costs and minimum order values under control. You will still find yourself needing to order specific things elsewhere from time to time.

I personally use Centrado as my main supplier, because they deliver in their own vans to me on Mondays and Thursdays (no transit damages), I like the fact that I can order everything online, up to 4pm the day before delivery, and they do glass, backing boards and hardware as well as moulding. Everything available 1 stick at a time. They will also provide chevron samples FOC. They do not do chop service, but I understand that may change soon. Not all parts of the country get the van delivery option though.

Wessex Mouldings also offer a 'full range' van delivery service inc glass. Otherwise you need to be considering (have I missed anyone?)

Lion
Larson Juhl
D&J Simons
Ashworth & Thompson
Mainline
Rose & Hollis
Flagship

Contact various companies, see if they will send a rep out to see you, and find out what they have to offer. Don't forget to ask them what they can do to give you the best prices to help you get started.

[Justintime]

HI James welcome to the forum.
Jim has pretty much said it all but here's my 5p worth.
Rose and Hollis - the best for barewoods, they specialise in it.
Larson Juhl - imho higher end finishes than others and more expensive
Lions- excellent for low mid and higher range finishes and excellent for sundries
Wessex - great for LJ and Crescent mounts, glass and backboard, useful for fillets too (and cassese sundries).I find their mouldings a bit "meh".
All the above give excellent service and are quick to rectify problems. LJ is a much bigger company so a little less personal. I haven't used the others so can't comment. Four suppliers has been plenty for me to get my head around.

[Jaybrandnew]

This is fantastic guys thank you very much. I will look at these businesses and see whats what.

As an aside, what are the members thoughts of Mainline as a supplier?

Thanks again.
James

[fitz]

Mainline are very good and I have ordered mouldings from them. Their polcore range is good and in some cases unique in certain embossed type mouldings. They are my go to for Morso blade sharpening and my blades always come back in tip top form.

[Jaybrandnew]

This is very helpful guys, thanks again. I really appreciate it.
James