History
The Willard family business was founded by Herbert Willard in the 1920's. The company began making conservation equipment in the 1950s when Herbert’s son Jack, an electrical engineer and toolmaker, produced the very first commercial Heated Spatula for a young trainee conservator living in Chichester. This was soon followed by requests from other Conservators for additional tools and by the early 1960’s Jack had pioneered the design and manufacture of the very first heated vacuum table, this was gradually followed by the development of a range of tools and equipment designed and built to meet specific conservation needs. Jack Willard passed away in 2007 at the age of 79. He dedicated most of his working life to the production of high quality, innovative products for the advancement of conservation methods and techniques

Today the company is managed by Paul Willard who joined his Father in the family business in the early 1980’s, Paul is also committed to conservation and continues to work towards the evolution of new tools & equipment to assist with the increasing challenges facing conservators. Willard hand tools, suction equipment, easels, washing tables and other conservation technologies are in daily use in leading museums, galleries, archives and in private conservation studios of all sizes around the world

Commitment
Willard aims to work in close collaboration with conservators to expand and refine existing tools & equipment, as well as finding answers to new conservation challenges. The appropriate tools are available to ensure essential work is carried out using reliable dedicated equipment. The company continues to be driven by the desire to create practical solutions to meet all conservation needs both now and into the future.

Products and Services
All products are built by hand in Willard’s own workshops by a team of dedicated skilled engineers using high quality materials and components. Maintenance, re-calibration and servicing are also offered and ensure the optimum operation of all products is manitained. Another advantage of the Willard ‘hands on’ approach is the ability to offer a truely bespoke service to tailor equipment to meet precise needs.

Staying in touch
We're always happy to recieve enquiries, whether it’s a query or comment relating to an existing product or a new product idea, we'll be pleased to assist.  By combining dedicated research and development with our unique engineering skills and working in close collaboration, we can continue to deliver exactly what's needed.