About Foundry & Merchant
A curious eye.A world of possibility.
Founded by Oliver Dredge, Foundry & Merchant brings a maker’s understanding of materials to global sourcing, design and production.
Our founder
Oliver Dredge.
Founder & CEO · Artist · Designer
Oliver’s path into sourcing began in India, where he grew up and started his first business exporting to the UK. His experience spans carpentry, model making and work at Pinewood Film Studios.
He went on to found SFXC, exploring smart materials and their creative possibilities. That work included helping develop the heat-sensitive floor for Tania Bruguera’s 2018 commission at Tate Modern.
Today, Foundry & Merchant brings that experience into sourcing, design and making. Alongside it, Oliver runs Aramse Aramse, a retail collection of his favourite finds.
Our perspective
It begins with a material.
The grain of timber. The weight of brass. A colour or texture that makes you look again.
We help people find materials and products, develop ideas and work with specialist makers. The starting point can be an individual piece, a new collection or a bespoke project.
Two words. One way of thinking.
Foundry & Merchant.
Foundry
The spirit of making. Understanding materials, exploring processes and giving an idea its form.
Merchant
The instinct to explore. Finding people, recognising possibilities and building relationships across borders.
How we approach your project
Curiosity, with purpose.
An open brief.
Bring a material, a reference, a product or a question. We begin by understanding what you need and what matters to the project.
The right people.
We look for the skills and production capabilities that fit your brief, from specialist workshops to larger manufacturing partners.
Considered detail.
Specifications, samples, finishes and agreed checks help turn a promising idea into a clear production brief.
What could we make possible?
Tell us what you are exploring. We will help you work out where to begin.