British Rosewood and chrome T.T. table by Tim Bates for Pieff, c. 1976

Production Facilities Ltd (PFL) was formed by father and son Fred and David Bates in 1954. Based in Lye in the West Midlands, the company mostly manufactured canteen furniture. Tim Bates, younger brother to David, joined the company in 1966 and began designing luxury furniture. His first collection was launched at the DECOR contract furniture exhibition at Olympia in May 1970 and the company changed its name to Pieff Furniture. Pieff was the must have name in high-end British furniture during the 1970’s. Tim and his family designed and manufactured some of the most cutting edge, British made, modern pieces. Pieff designs had a touch of Hollywood regency and were made using luxury materials. Their trademark offering was furniture crafted from mirrored chrome, Brazilian rosewood, leather and Pirelli webbing. Pieff was sold in high end stores, including Harrods, and its name was synonymous with high quality production. The company went into receivership during the height of the industrial recession in May 1983 and the name and goodwill were sold to PEL (Practical Equipment Ltd) of Oldbury.