We are Passionate About Our Work
About Stairplan – Precision Staircase Manufacturing Since 1977
Stairplan – Established 1977
At Stairplan, our journey began in 1977 in a small garage workshop at home, under the name GT Joinery. Founded by Graham Thomas, the business initially specialised in cut roofs and bespoke staircases, supplying joinery to local builders across Shropshire and the West Midlands.
From GT Joinery to Stairplan
As demand grew, so did our vision. In 1988, we rebranded as Stairplan and built a purpose-designed workshop on the original land in Dawley, laying the foundation for a new era of staircase manufacturing.
By 2000, we had outgrown Dawley and moved into a new industrial unit in Stafford Park, Telford — four times the size of our previous facility. This move marked our shift into CNC production, with the installation of our first MAKA PM270 5-axis CNC router. Recognising the reliability and precision CNC machinery brought to staircase production, a second PM270 followed in 2002, allowing us to expand our capabilities.
That same year, we launched our first website and began supplying staircases nationwide, moving beyond our regional base to serve customers across the UK.
A Family-Run Company
Stairplan has always been a family-run business. Graham Thomas remains our Managing Director, and I, Lee Thomas, joined the company full time in 1989. Together, we’ve guided the business through continual innovation and investment in the highest quality machinery.
Expanding Capacity and CNC Innovation
In 2005, we doubled our production space by acquiring the neighbouring unit, enabling us to add two more custom-configured MAKA PM270 CNC routers. These machines featured automated suction cup positioning, reducing setup time and allowing us to dedicate specific machines to individual components — a major efficiency gain.
As demand continued to grow, we relocated once more in 2010 to a modern facility in Hortonwood, Telford. The move involved relocating our entire production line — including several large-scale machines — and allowed us to add a dedicated showroom. We began exhibiting nationally at events like the Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Grand Designs Live, further raising our profile.
Between 2012 and 2016, we continued to invest in next-generation CNC machinery:
MAKA PE90 5-axis router
Three high-spec Homag CNC routers for faster cycle times
Weinig CNC moulder, replacing our original Wadkin moulder
Timber laminating clamp press, allowing us to produce high-quality components in volume without relying on imports
Although we had initially planned to retire our older MAKA machines, we retained them for specialist tasks such as producing heavy-duty components for our X-Vision staircase range.
Latest Developments
In 2021, we added two Biesse CNC routers — one for nesting and one for 5-axis operations — expanding both flexibility and output.
In 2024, we planned a move to a new purpose-built facility. However, after the sale of our Hortonwood site fell through, we undertook a full reorganisation of our existing factory, redesigning our workflow to maximise space and efficiency.
As of 2025, our new production layout is fully operational — ensuring that Stairplan remains at the forefront of staircase manufacturing in the UK.
- Quality Staircases
- Sustainable Practices
- State of the art facility
- Experienced Team
Why Choose Stairplan?
Over 45 years of staircase expertise
One of the UK’s most advanced staircase production workshops
Family-run values with nationwide reach
Industry-leading CNC technology for precision and repeatability
Trusted by self-builders, contractors, and trade professionals