Since 1975, Umbra has helped people enjoy light by shaping how homes and buildings feel. What began as a small family business in Swansea has grown into the UK’s trusted name for premium shading systems and smart blind integration.
This month, the team came together to celebrate Umbra’s 50th anniversary, marking five decades of British craftsmanship, innovation, and progress.
Founder Stephen Hill received a commemorative bottle of whisky and a custom Umbra cake from Leighton, our youngest team member. The gesture captured what Umbra stands for: generations working together, passing down skills, and building shared pride in local industry.
The celebration also recognised the people who have shaped Umbra’s story.
Team members with five years or more of service received long-service awards, with some having been part of Umbra for nearly two decades.
For many families, Umbra has become more than a workplace; it is part of their story.
We also welcomed Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, for a tour of our production, R&D, and training academy.
Her visit reflected Umbra’s ongoing investment in British manufacturing and in the community that has supported us since the beginning.
This milestone is not only about the past. It represents how far we have come and what lies ahead. Umbra’s journey from Venetian blinds in the ‘70s and vertical blinds in the ‘90s to fully motorised, smart shading systems in 2025 shows that innovation remains central to everything we do.
Looking ahead, our purpose stays the same: to help people enjoy light while protecting comfort, privacy, and wellbeing.
We thank our team, customers, and partners for making the past 50 years possible. The next chapter of British design, engineering, and craftsmanship in premium shading systems will continue with the same values that started it all.