Our Origins: Craftsmanship Since the 1950s Seal Seam’s story begins in the early 1950s with Jack Brackenbury, a skilled saddler in Oxfordshire, England. Jack hand-crafted saddles and collars for local horse owners before turning his expertise to cobbling and intricate shoe repairs. As word spread of his precision sewing, local farmers sought him out to repair agricultural tarpaulins. With demand growing for bespoke tarpaulin solutions, Jack founded his own business, J Brackenbury, in 1956.
From Family Workshop to Established Manufacturer Ongoing demand for custom tarpaulins drove steady growth, and in 1963 the company became SEAL SEAM (THAME) LIMITED. Jack’s son, Frank, later joined straight from school, learning his father’s craft before taking over the business. He guided it into the 21st century, combining traditional skills with modern market needs. In 1988, the company adopted the name it is known by today: Seal Seam Ltd.
Serving Diverse Sectors Across the UK For over 50 years, Seal Seam has been a trusted tarpaulin manufacturer in Oxfordshire and across the UK. Today, we design and produce bespoke covers for a wide range of sectors, including:
- Home & Garden – outdoor building curtains, side panels, furniture covers, shade sails
- Hospitality – Aunt Sally backdrops, market stall sheets, pub tarpaulins
- Sports & Education – long jump pit covers, cricket covers, sandpit covers
- Transport & Industrial – lorry tarpaulins, machine covers, trailer sheets
- Agriculture – trailer and tractor covers, livestock covers, stillage covers
Every product is made to order, tailored precisely to each customer’s needs.
A New Chapter for Seal Seam
In 2025, Seal Seam proudly became part of Cunningham Covers LTD, a globally recognised manufacturer with extensive experience in manufacturing Clever Protective Covers® since 1969. Sharing aligned vision and values, both companies started as family-run businesses and developed expertise in the bespoke tarpaulin market.
Cunningham Covers, founded by current chairman Gordon Cunningham, has grown into one of the market leading tarpaulin manufacturers throughout the world. Entrusted by thousands of customers in sectors ranging from Commercial and Home & Garden, to Industrial, Aviation, Transport and beyond.
This partnership has strengthened our ability to deliver innovative and custom-made solutions whilst maintaining a personalised service for Oxfordshire-based customers.