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Bridgman has been manufacturing Iroko furniture for nearly twenty years in their London factories. Recently, to ensure that the company can continue to offer competitively price furniture, most of the production has been transferred to the countries from where the timber is grown, which has added the advantage of greatly benefiting the indigenous population.

Over the years, Bridgman has designed hundreds of different pieces and manufactured several hundred thousand items of outdoor furniture. The furniture is mostly traditional in design. Bridgman still ensures that great care is taken at each stage of development and manufacture, to ensure that every piece is made to the highest standards. Large sections of timber are used, carefully crafted and finished, to give the furniture a solid and robust appearance. Both traditional hand skills and sophisticated machinery are used to produce Bridgman Iroko furniture.

Bridgman still retains a small but dedicated workforce in London, to continue its design and development work to ensure that the company maintains its reputation for first class service and reliable and efficient aftercare.

Iroko is a quality hardwood from West Africa (Cholorphora excelsa). Bridgman has selected this timber specifically for its excellent qualities in being able to withstand the rigours of an outdoor environment, of which very few other timbers are capable.

The Timber Research Association classifies Iroko as "very durable", the highest classification for durability. Iroko is naturally resistant to changes in climate, having excellent strength properties, as a result of which it is used extensively in exterior work including marine uses.

Environmental Issues

Bridgman Iroko furniture is produced from kiln-dried timber, obtained from West African forests. Bridgman considers the proper and effective use of timber supplies to be of the greatest importance. It is by taking a responsible attitude that Bridgman can join the effort to encourage these countries and their indigenous people to adopt sensible and realistic regeneration programmes. These policies also help to encourage the continuation of investment strategies, to secure the long-term economic growth in these areas, through the controlled use of their natural resources.

Aftercare of Wood

All timbers used in the making of the Bridgman outdoor ranges are classified as "Very Durable" by the U.K. Timber Research and Development Association; which is the highest classification possible.

Bridgman IROKO and TEAK furniture leaves the factory untreated. Dependent on personal taste, a prompt decision will need to be made regarding whether or not to treat the timber with any kind of wood finish as detailed below.

Treating the furniture when brand new

To help maintain a more original appearance, the furniture should be treated with an application of Bridgman Treatment, or any other suitable product, always carefully following the manufacturers' instructions. The treatment should first be applied on a part of the furniture that is not easily visible, to check that it satisfies the customers colour requirements. It is not necessary to treat the wood to 'preserve it'. Treating the timber simply slows down the weathering process. It will also help to reduce the amount of end grain cracking and possible warping that may occur over a period of time.

Leaving the furniture untreated

If left untreated, the furniture will gradually turn an attractive Silver Grey colour, which is an oxidization of the surface. Small cracks may appear, especially on the end grain, but these are perfectly normal characteristics and will not affect the strength or durability of the timber. In hot, sunny and dry conditions, some cracks may appear larger, but these will normally reduce in cooler and wetter conditions.

Cleaning the furniture

In a modern environment the atmosphere contains many impurities, which will cause the furniture to become dirty. Fortunately the remedy is usually quite simple. The furniture should be cleaned using either a scrubbing brush and warm slightly soapy water, or a jet wash. When using a jet wash, great care must be taken to ensure that the correct distance is maintained from the surface, to avoid possible damage to the furniture. Any deposits on the surface will be due to something that will have fallen onto the furniture. There is nothing in the timber that can discolour the surface.

Re-treating the furniture

When re-treating the furniture it is essential to first clean it to remove any dirt, using either a scrubbing brush and warm soapy water, or a jet wash. Bridgman Cleaner can be used to assist the cleaning process. Cleaning is absolutely necessary otherwise a new application of treatment will seal in any dirt or marks. When completely dry, lightly sand the surfaces. It is particularly important to sand off any weathered areas, before re-treating.