Agua Fabrics
Agua Fabrics is a four-generation, family-owned British manufacturer of high-performance contract upholstery fabrics and faux leathers, serving healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise/marine, education, and leisure sectors globally through direct sales and a nine-market distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Agua Fabrics does
Agua Fabrics is a four-generation, family-owned British manufacturer of high-performance contract upholstery fabrics, founded in the 1920s and headquartered in London (Hyde House, The Hyde, NW9 6LH) with finishing operations at UK mills in Northern England. The company produces soft woven fabrics, microfibre fabrics, faux leather vinyls, outdoor fabrics, and velvet/corduroy fabrics organised into branded collections (VerdEco, Dales, Tones, Taurus, Paint Pot, Parody Linen, Nova, Linetta) and sold under the @Work by Agua sub-brand for workplace specifications. Products are engineered to meet stringent contract-interiors requirements: fire retardancy to BS7176 Crib 5 and IMO Resolution A652(16) for marine, waterproofing, stain resistance, bleach cleanability, and anti-microbial protection as standard features. The company serves six commercial-interior verticals — healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise/marine, education, and leisure/spa — and cites unrivalled experience in healthcare since the 1920s.
The company's core technology differentiator is AguaGuard365, a proprietary anti-microbial protection system co-developed with HeiQ (using ViroBlock technology) and validated by a Swiss virology laboratory as effective against viruses including COVID-19 and bacteria including MRSA, salmonella, and E. coli. Sustainability is embedded across the range: VerdEco uses 100% recycled textiles without water consumption, biodegradable PE packaging was rolled out from December 2019, low-waste processing equipment was installed in 2018, and end-of-life recyclability is delivered through a partnership with Sustain@TheSenatorGroup. The company holds ISO 9001 (since 2008), REACH compliance, Oeko-Tex, BSI certification, Planet Mark ESG certification, and is a longstanding member of the British Contract Furnishing Association.
Agua Fabrics operates a B2B contract sales motion targeting interior designers, architects, and commercial specifiers across healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise, education, and leisure sectors. Revenue is generated through one-time contract fabric sales — directly from the UK Head Office and indirectly through a global distributor network covering Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands, UAE, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, and USA/Caribbean — with project-based pricing quoted excluding VAT and carriage on 30-day payment terms. The website functions as a specification enablement tool with virtual binders, sample requests, and shade card downloads. The business is privately held by the founding family with no disclosed external investment, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity.
Agua Fabrics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Agua Fabrics
- Legal name
- Agua Fabrics Ltd.
- Website
- https://aguafabrics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Agua Fabrics is a four-generation, family-owned British manufacturer of high-performance contract upholstery fabrics and faux leathers, serving healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise/marine, education, and leisure sectors globally through direct sales and a nine-market distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Agua Fabrics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contract Upholstery Fabrics
- NAICS
- Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316990)
- SIC
- Leather & Leather Products (3100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hospitality & Institutional Home Textiles Manufacturing (Hotel/Hospital Bedding & Towels) (IMAOAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics) (IMAOADAD), Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI)
Keywords
Where Agua Fabrics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Agua Fabrics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Contract Fabric Sales: Sale of high-performance contract upholstery fabrics, faux leathers, and soft woven fabrics to commercial interior projects across healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise, education, and leisure sectors. Products sold directly and through global distributor network.
- Samples and Shade Cards: Free fabric samples and shade cards provided to designers and specifiers to support specification decisions
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | B2B wholesale pricing for contract projects |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Agua Fabrics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Agua Fabrics manufactures and supplies high-performance contract upholstery fabrics and faux leathers for commercial interior projects across healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise, education, and leisure sectors. Their products include fire retardancy (BS7176 Crib 5 / IMO), waterproofing, stain resistance, and anti-microbial protection as standard features, with proprietary AguaGuard365 technology developed in partnership with a Swiss virology laboratory and powered by HeiQ ViroBlock, certified effective against COVID-19. They sell direct via UK Head Office and through a global distributor network to interior designers, architects, and commercial specifiers.
Product overview
Agua Fabrics is a four-generation family business specializing in high-performance contract upholstery fabrics. The product portfolio includes soft woven fabrics, microfibre fabrics, faux leathers, outdoor fabrics, and velvet/coru products organized into multiple branded collections. Key product lines include VerdEco (sustainable recycled fabrics), Dales (natural wool fabrics), Tones (wool-effect twill), and multiple faux leather ranges (Taurus, Paint Pot, Parody Linen). The company offers both soft fabrics and faux leathers with consistent technical properties including fire retardancy (Crib 5/IMO), waterproofing, stain resistance, and anti-microbial protection via AguaGuard365 technology. Products serve sectors including Healthcare, Hospitality, Workplace, Cruise/Marine, Education, and Leisure/SPA. The @Work by Agua sub-brand serves the workplace segment specifically.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AguaGuard365: Proprietary anti-bacterial protection system for upholstery fabrics, developed in partnership with a Swiss virology lab and tested effective against viruses including Covid-19.
- @Work by Agua
- Furnisoft PU
Products and services
- VerdEco Sustainable melange upholstery fabric made from 100% recycled textiles without water consumption. 35 shades available. Suitable for Commercial, Cruise, Hospitality, Leisure, and Workplace applications. Biodegradable and phthalate free.
- Dales Hopsack-like finish natural wool commercial upholstery fabric made almost entirely of natural wool (90% Wool, 10% Polyester). 38 shades available. Features luxurious textured weave.
- Tones
Quantifiable outcome
- Fire retardant to BS7176 Crib 5 for Medium Hazard areas and IMO Resolution A652(16) / IMO Annex 1 Part 8 for Marine use
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Agua Fabrics
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Agua Fabrics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Agua Fabrics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Material Cabinet LtdcoreFinland-based distributor handling Agua Fabrics products in the Finnish market. Provides local support and distribution services for Finnish customers. Contact: [email protected]
- Furnishing DistributorscoreRepublic of Ireland distributor based in Bray, Wicklow. Part of Agua's European distribution network. Contact: [email protected]
- Medici FabricscoreSouth African distributor based in Sandton, Johannesburg. Handles Agua Fabrics distribution across South Africa. Contact: [email protected]
- MO DesigncoreDanish distributor based in Vester Hassing, handling Agua Fabrics products in the Danish market. Contact: [email protected]
- Richmond CollectioncoreUAE-based distributor handling Agua Fabrics in the Middle East market. Contact: [email protected]
- Saint John Bosco Trust CompanycoreHong Kong-based distributor handling Agua Fabrics in the Hong Kong market. Contact: [email protected]
- The Kan Kollection - Samantha KancoreUSA Cruise distributor covering Florida and the Caribbean markets. Specializes in cruise and marine applications. Contact: [email protected]
- Vyva FabricscoreNetherlands-based distributor handling Agua Fabrics in the Dutch market. Contact: [email protected]
- Weave 7 Pte LtdcoreSingapore-based distributor covering the Southeast Asian market. Contact: [email protected]
- Swiss Virology LaboratorystrategicPartnership with Swiss virology laboratory for development and testing of AguaGuard365 anti-bacterial protection technology, validated as effective against viruses including Covid-19
- HeiQstrategicTechnology partnership for AguaGuard365 anti-microbial protection powered by HeiQ ViroBlock, providing laboratory-tested effectiveness against bacteria and viruses including Covid-19, salmonella, E Coli, and MRSA
- Sustain@TheSenatorGroupcoreEnd-of-life recycling partnership ensuring all Agua fabrics are fully recyclable at end of life through Sustain@TheSenatorGroup
- SagePayminorPayment services provider handling financial transactions on the Agua Fabrics website. Transaction data shared only as necessary for payment processing.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Agua Fabrics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- HeiQ: Swiss textile technology company whose ViroBlock technology powers Agua's AguaGuard365 anti-microbial feature—an enabling technology partner rather than direct competitor, but central to Agua's differentiation story.
Direct peers
- Camira Fabrics: UK-based manufacturer of contract upholstery fabrics serving healthcare, hospitality, workplace, and education sectors with a comparable B2B specification model and similar product breadth including anti-microbial and sustainable ranges.
- Designtex: US-based contract textile manufacturer offering upholstery, wallcovering, and panel fabrics for healthcare, hospitality, and workplace—directly comparable sector focus with strong emphasis on performance and sustainability.
- Brentano Fabrics: US-based contract textile manufacturer offering performance upholstery and drapery fabrics for hospitality, healthcare, and senior living—comparable to Agua's vertical mix and contract specification model.
- Panaz: UK-based contract fabric manufacturer specializing in performance upholstery and curtain fabrics for healthcare, hospitality, and transport sectors—directly comparable to Agua's contract specification model and customer base.
- Kravet Contract: US-based contract textile brand serving hospitality, healthcare, and senior living with high-performance upholstery and drapery fabrics—directly comparable commercial specification focus and vertical sector mix.
- Momentum Textiles: US-based commercial upholstery and panel fabric manufacturer serving healthcare, hospitality, and workplace—comparable B2B specification model with similar anti-microbial and performance fabric positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Maharam: US-based large-scale commercial textile company serving contract interiors across multiple verticals with broader portfolio depth and larger organizational scale than Agua—comparable category but a much larger established player.
- Knoll Textiles: US-based commercial textile division of Knoll offering upholstery, drapery, and panel fabrics for workplace and hospitality—operates in the same contract specification channel but as part of a much larger furniture and interiors group.
Regional players
- Vescom: Netherlands-based manufacturer of contract wallcovering, upholstery, and curtain fabrics primarily serving European healthcare, hospitality, and office markets—comparable product category and customer base but geographically concentrated in continental Europe.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Agua Fabrics social profiles
Digital presenceAgua Fabrics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Agua Fabrics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Agua Fabrics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Agua Fabrics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Agua Fabrics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Agua Fabrics
What does Agua Fabrics do?
Agua Fabrics manufactures and supplies high-performance contract upholstery fabrics and faux leathers for commercial interior projects across healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise, education, and leisure sectors. Their products include fire retardancy (BS7176 Crib 5 / IMO), waterproofing, stain resistance, and anti-microbial protection as standard features, with proprietary AguaGuard365 technology developed in partnership with a Swiss virology laboratory and powered by HeiQ ViroBlock, certified effective against COVID-19. They sell direct via UK Head Office and through a global distributor network to interior designers, architects, and commercial specifiers.
Is Agua Fabrics a public or private company?
Agua Fabrics is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Agua Fabrics founded?
Agua Fabrics was founded in 1920. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Agua Fabrics based?
Agua Fabrics is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Agua Fabrics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Contract Fabric Sales are the primary driver. The others are samples and Shade Cards.
Who are Agua Fabrics's main competitors?
HeiQ is listed as an others. Direct peers are Camira Fabrics, Designtex, Brentano Fabrics, Panaz, Kravet Contract and Momentum Textiles. Broad incumbents are Maharam and Knoll Textiles. Vescom is listed as a regional player.
Does Agua Fabrics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Agua Fabrics.
What industry is Agua Fabrics in?
Agua Fabrics's product category is Contract Upholstery Fabrics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOAKAI, Hospitality & Institutional Home Textiles Manufacturing (Hotel/Hospital Bedding & Towels), with a secondary code of IMAOADAD, Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics). Its NAICS code is 316990 and its SIC code is 3100.