The company was founded in 1983 with the clear objective of providing the most comprehensive service possible to the Ceramics Industry and to introduce modern and technologically-advanced techniques to the drying process.

Since that time, partly due to the company's growing reputation for customer service resulting in substantial repeat business, and partly through its innovative Research and Development programme, CDS has grown to a stage where it is now possibly the “largest specialist ceramic drying company in the world.”

Ceramic Drying Systems is structured into several different divisions ranging from Sanitaryware to Tableware and from Technical Ceramics to Heavy Clay products, each staffed by experts in that particular sector to offer the most comprehensive service possible.

A recent and most important addition to the company's activities has been in the field of concrete curing where CDS Concrete Curing Systems has made rapid inroads into the industry with new and advanced solutions to the production curing process.

Together with Bricesco Kilns, Thermic Designs was acquired from the Flare Group Plc in 1999 to add and compliment the CDS Group's existing range of products. Thermic built up a high regard and reputation for innovative design, quality and reliability before and during the time under Flare Group and has since added to that reputation. Particularly strong in the fields of advanced tunnel dryer design and mechanised casting techniques, for which the company is associated with Santech Designs, Thermic continues to expand and succeed and has proved an invaluable addition to the Group.

A relatively new addition to the Group, Kilns and Furnaces adds a further dimension with its expertise in kiln solutions for the pottery, studio, educational, craft, metals and glass markets. Trading successfully for over 50 years K&F are renowned suppliers and exporters of quality plant and machinery to these industries.

CDS Tuffplant, in association with Lambert G.T. Services Ltd is the leading UK supplier of glass tempering furnaces. Each furnace is custom built to suit the exact needs of every customer. The company's strength comes from a combination of over 60 years experience within the tempering industry, and the installation of over 150 various types of glass tempering systems world-wide. The company has two sites, one in Stoke-on-Trent, the other in Birmingham. Both have full manufacturing facilities. The Stoke site deals with overseas sales and customer liaison.

Robotics / Mechanical Handling Systems etc