Said to be the first Association to represent the cutlery industry in Sheffield is the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers Association which was formed around 1900 to act as a link between the Government, the Unions and the industry. Alongside this organisation was the Master Silversmiths Association which was formed in 1773 by Silver manufacturers to fix the selling price of their goods. Over the years due to the contradiction of the industries the Associations merged and after various name changes the British Cutlery and Silverware Association emerged in the early 1980's.

Members of the Association are many and varied from blank manufacturers who produce the first cuttings of knives, forks and spoons to finishers, platers, scissors manufacturers, kitchen knives folding knives and holloware products.