2016 marks a special year for Victoria + Albert Baths as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Formed in 1996 with a passion for luxury bathing, Victoria + Albert Baths is now recognised internationally for creating iconic pieces from our world-class Volcanic Limestone™ composite, QUARRYCAST®.
Scroll down to explore our achievements over the past two decades and see what 2016 has in store. We’ll be revealing new products, hosting a programme of worldwide events and giving away some fantastic prizes to celebrate our anniversary.
We look forward to continuing our journey with you over the next twenty years!
Two South African brothers, Nico and Alwyn Neethling, had developed an innovative composite material made from a rock we now call Volcanic Limestone™ and mixed with resin. The unique properties of the material made it both beautiful and hardwearing. British entrepreneur, Chris Davies, realised the potential for the composite within the bathroom sector and the partners began casting the first traditional freestanding baths in a factory in Worcester, Cape Town.
Back in the UK, the products were showcased for the first time at the KBB exhibition. Dealers were excited about a new material superior to acrylic and heavy cast iron and the whole container of stock sold out on the first morning!
News spread fast and demand for baths made from the unique material crossed the channel into mainland Europe. Baths were now exported to France, Norway and Spain.
The first contemporary bathtub was launched to accompany the now hugely popular traditional collection. To service the growing UK dealer network, a dedicated logistics base was created in Telford.
Victoria + Albert Baths became the global brand name and the first company website (www.vandabaths.com) was launched. The special composite material was officially named QUARRYCAST®.
To manage the growing number of exports, Victoria + Albert USA was created with its own warehouse. Separate companies in Canada and Australia followed over the next 3 years.
The first ‘rimless’ bath, the Napoli, was launched and sold out on the first day! The model won a Designer Manufacturer Award Commendation and later received a Platinum ADEC Award and GOOD DESIGN award.
The first ‘Specification Showroom’ opened in London at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, showcasing key models from the growing collections which now included basins and ‘made in England’ tapware.
Victoria + Albert Baths exhibited in Italy for the first time at the world famous Salone del Mobile in Milan, a global benchmark for the home interiors industry.
An exciting collaboration with Sandro Meneghello and Marco Paolelli of Milan began, leading to the Red Dot award winning Amiata collection. 
The Victoria + Albert Design Awards competition opened worldwide, giving designers the chance to see their bathroom design come to life at Salone del Mobile in 2016. The first furniture collection was developed using the finest European hardwoods.
As we reflect on the past 20 years and look forward to the next developments for Victoria + Albert, we take a look at what it is that has cemented bathing in history.
