Millimetre

What Millimetre does

Millimetre is an award-winning design and fabrication company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Portslade, East Sussex, UK, operating from a single integrated workshop that houses a digital fabrication studio, timber and joinery workshop, metal fabrication shop, machining centre with 7-axis robot capability, finishing department, and assembly space. The firm delivers end-to-end services—design and consultancy, feasibility and costing, R&D and prototyping, CNC machining, joinery, fabrication, finishing, and site installation—across timber, metal, glass, and composite materials, enabling execution of complex, large-scale, often architecturally ambitious projects without subcontracting. With 27 dedicated staff including designers, architects, joiners, and fabricators, the business runs on a project-based professional services model, generating revenue via bespoke commissions quoted per project rather than disclosed pricing.

The customer base spans artists (Kara Walker, Grayson Perry, Alex Chinneck), leading architectural practices (Niall McLaughlin, David Kohn, Heatherwick Studio, Nissen Richards, Donald Insall Associates, Al-Jawad Pike), cultural institutions (V&A, Tate, Science Museum, Channel 4), and luxury commercial brands (Dior, BMW, Audemars Piguet, Selfridges). Notable marquee projects include Fons Americanus at Tate Modern (2019), A House for Essex with Grayson Perry (2015), Double Space with BMW at V&A (2014), and sculptural lamp posts for Dior's New York and Beverly Hills flagship stores (2026). The firm differentiates via multi-material in-house capability, deep project portfolio in high-profile public art and architectural commissions, and a proprietary in-house carbon and toxicity assessment software that informs material and process selection.

The go-to-market is sales-led and reputation-driven: commissions originate through direct engagement with artists, architects, and brands, supported by industry awards (RIBA, Dezeen, PSSA Marsh, RIBA Journal, RHS Chelsea), earned media in Dezeen, RIBA Journal, Architects Journal, and Creative Review, and a maintained project portfolio on its website. The company is privately held (registered in England & Wales, company number 05881423), is a member of Timber Development UK and the Royal Society of Sculptors, is UKCA-accredited, and operates without disclosed external investment or parent company; marketing channels are limited to organic social (Instagram), a newsletter, and earned PR rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Millimetre

Legal name

millimetre

Website

https://millimetre.uk.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Millimetre is a UK-based, award-winning design and fabrication studio (founded 2006, 27 staff) delivering end-to-end bespoke commissions—in digital fabrication, joinery, metalwork, 7-axis CNC machining, and installation—for artists, architects, cultural institutions, and luxury brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bespoke Design and Fabrication Services

NAICS

Millwork (32191), Other Millwork (including Flooring) (321918)

SIC

Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430)

akta.pro primary industry

Millwork & Finish Carpentry (Trim, Molding, Wainscoting) (HSAPAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Finish Carpentry, Millwork & Cabinetry (EDAOAAAI)

Keywords

• Bespoke fabrication services
• Digital fabrication studio
• CNC robotic machining
• Architectural metalwork
• Timber joinery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portslade

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Project-based Fabrication Contracts: Commission-based work for design, fabrication, and installation of bespoke art, architecture, and furniture projects. Revenue generated through direct contracts with artists, architects, brands, and institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Millimetre is a design and fabrication company that delivers bespoke projects from concept through to installation, combining digital fabrication (including 7-axis robotic CNC machining), timber joinery, metal fabrication, and finishing services. It works on commissions for artists, architects, luxury brands, and cultural institutions, producing sculptures, architectural elements, interiors, furniture, lighting, and staircases. Services encompass design and consultancy, feasibility and costing, R&D and prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and installation, all delivered in-house by a team of designers, architects, joiners, and fabricators.

Product overview

Millimetre is an award-winning design and fabrication company offering a comprehensive suite of services for complex, multi-faceted projects. Their core offering encompasses digital fabrication (including 7-axis CNC machining), design and consultancy, timber joinery, metal fabrication, finishing services, and full assembly and installation. The company works across architecture, art, furniture, interiors, lighting, and staircases, delivering projects ranging from public sculptures and installations to architectural elements and bespoke furniture. With 27 dedicated staff including expert designers, architects, joiners, and fabricators, they provide a complete wraparound service from conceptualisation through to installation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Fabrication Services Advanced digital fabrication including CNC machining and 7-axis robot technology for precision manufacturing of complex geometric forms, sold as part of bespoke project commissions to artists, architects, and brands.
• Design and Consultancy Expert design and consultancy services delivered alongside fabrication, running projects from concept through to production in close collaboration with artists, architects, and brand clients.
• Timber and Joinery Specialist timber craftsmanship including bespoke furniture, structural timber elements, and architectural joinery offered as part of in-house fabrication commissions.
• Metal Fabrication Full metalworking capabilities including welding, casting, patination, and structural metalwork for architectural and artistic applications, delivered as part of bespoke project commissions.
• Finishing and Surface Decoration Comprehensive finishing services including staining, lacquering, patination, and specialist surface treatments delivered as the final step in Millimetre's in-house fabrication pipeline.
• R&D and Prototyping Research and development and prototyping services for complex projects, including the development of new fabrication techniques and material combinations.
• Assembly and Installation Complete installation services including site management, on-site assembly, and installation of fabricated elements, typically for large-scale sculptural and architectural commissions.

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arit AndersoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Landscape designer for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 project 'A Garden for Every Parkinson's Journey'. Millimetre developed, fabricated, and installed structural elements including Hand Rill and Night Canopy.
• Parkinson's UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Charity partner for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 project raising awareness of Parkinson's disease through garden design.
• AccoyaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Sustainable timber supplier for Chelsea Flower Show garden project. Accoya wood used for Hand Rill and Night Canopy structures.
• Landscape AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Landscape architecture practice collaborating on RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 project.
• Project Giving BackminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Charitable initiative enabling the donation of RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens to public spaces after the show.
• HTA DesignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Design practice for Regents Park benches project, designing Queen Elizabeth II Garden seating.
• The Royal ParksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Charitable organisation managing Royal Parks for whom Accoya benches were installed in Queen Elizabeth II Garden.
• Alex ChinneckcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Artist collaborator on multiple projects including DIOR lamp posts, knotting lampposts, A Spring in Your Step sculpture. Long-standing creative partnership.
• DiorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Luxury fashion brand for whom millimetre fabricated sculptural lamp posts for flagship stores in New York and Beverly Hills.
• Nissen RichardscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Architecture firm for John Rylands Library Next Chapter development. Millimetre fabricated entrance metalwork and shading screens.
• Donald Insall AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Heritage architecture practice for John Rylands Library. Designed entrance canopy and shading screens fabricated by millimetre.
• Al-Jawad Pike ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Architecture firm for Selfridges information desk project. Designed silicon bronze reception desk.
• Selfridges & CocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Luxury department store for whom millimetre made information desk designed by Al-Jawad Pike.
• Heatherwick StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025High-profile architecture firm for Space Garden scale model at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025. Millimetre fabricated sculptural model.
• Aurelia InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Space architecture institute for Space Garden project at Venice Biennale 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti.
• Tate ModerncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Cultural institution for whom millimetre created Matanzas Sound Map laser-cut metal sculpture for Tate Tanks.
• María Magdalena Campos-PonscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Artist for whom millimetre fabricated large-scale metalwork sculpture for Tate Tanks exhibition.
• HOD ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Architecture firm for suspended helical staircase project in London private residence.
• Living ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2015Alison Brooks Architects' holiday home commission for A House for Essex by Grayson Perry and FAT Architects.
• FAT ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2015Architecture firm for A House for Essex project, designing the holiday home with Grayson Perry.
• Barber & OsgerbycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Design studio for Double Space kinetic sculpture with BMW at V&A Raphael Gallery.
• BMWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Automotive brand sponsor for Double Space installation at London Design Festival.
• Victoria & Albert MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Cultural institution for Double Space installation in Raphael Gallery, London Design Festival.
• Universal Design StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Design studio for Science Museum Information Age Gallery furniture and exhibits.
• Thames Diamond Jubilee FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2012Foundation for Royal barge canopy project on Spirit of Chartwell for Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
• David Kohn ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2011Architecture firm for Room for London boat-hotel on Queen Elizabeth Hall roof. Long-standing collaboration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Visual Artists: London studio creating large-scale site-specific installations and sculptures. Comparable in design-to-fabrication model for museums, brands, and public spaces, with in-house technical build capability.
• Based Upon: London-based design and fabrication studio producing bespoke architectural and sculptural objects in mixed materials. Closely comparable to Millimetre in combining design, joinery, metalwork, and CNC for high-end artistic commissions.
• Random International: Studio known for large-scale sculptural installations fabricated in mixed media for global museums and brands. Comparable in marrying design vision with bespoke fabrication for cultural institutions and high-profile commissions.
• Factum Arte: Madrid-based digital fabrication and high-resolution production studio serving artists, museums, and cultural institutions. Comparable in combining advanced digital fabrication with bespoke artistic and heritage commissions.
• Jason Bruges Studio: London design studio delivering permanent art installations, architectural interventions, and bespoke objects for cultural and brand clients. Comparable in client mix (museums, luxury brands) and in producing design-to-installation work in-house.
• Giles Miller Studio: UK design and fabrication practice specialising in complex surface and material work for architecture and brand installations. Comparable in scale and in delivering bespoke fabrication for design-led commissions.

Broad incumbents

• BRC Imagination Arts: Global design-build firm producing immersive museum, brand, and cultural experiences with in-house fabrication. Comparable on the museum and luxury brand customer overlap, though much larger and US-centric.
• Vitra Design Museum Workshop / Vitra: Swiss-based design and furniture manufacturer with a workshop tradition and in-house fabrication. Comparable in design-and-make heritage, though at much greater scale and with broader commercial furniture production.
• Benchmark Furniture: Established UK maker of bespoke and architectural joinery and furniture, with deep workshop capability. Comparable on the timber craftsmanship side, though more focused on furniture and architectural joinery than sculpture.

Emerging players

• Sebastian Cox: UK designer-maker working at the intersection of craft joinery, sustainable materials, and bespoke commissions. Comparable in craft-led, design-to-make approach, though smaller in scale and more furniture-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/millimetremakes
• Xx.com/millimetremakes

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Millimetre