Following on from the company’s starring role in BBC Two’s ‘Inside The Factory’ earlier this year, Denby was back in the TV spotlight again on Friday evening (11 November), with members of staff interviewed for BBC One’s ‘We Are England – Pots About Pots’ programme which aired in the East and West Midlands areas, and is now available on iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer – We Are England – Made in England: Pots About Pots
Viewers were given an insight into how the historic firm, which has been manufacturing ceramics for over 200 years, makes it products, as well as the people who keep the wheels turning.
The programme follows operations director Dean Barlow as he checks the on-site mountain of clay that is the core ingredient of the pottery’s output, with Dean revealing several of the pottery’s production techniques, as well as Denby’s new, factory-within-a-factory that makes porcelain which was set up during the pandemic.
Also spotlighted are maintenance engineer Roger Squires, (who has worked at the company for almost 50 years), Shell Buckle (a former bus driver who works in pottery glazing), and Alice Dunrose (employed in the pottery’s flatware glazing department), as they share a glimpse into their working lives at Denby, as well as their life outside work.
In addition, Denby’s design director Richard Eaton, (who has been with Denby for 35 years), is shown with members of his team using modern computer design and 3D printing tools, alongside traditional throwing and glazing techniques, to create the pottery’s ranges.
Comments Richard: “It’s a massive privilege to do these brand new designs, but there is that niggle at the back of my mind saying we need them to be successful . . . I still get a buzz out of people actually buying our product and it becoming a part of their lives. It creates a massive reason to come into work.”
The ceramics industry accounts for £1.6bn in revenue every year, employing over 22,000 workers around the UK, with Denby employing 472 people in the factory.
Top: From left to right: Denby’s Alice Dunrose, Roger Squires and Shell Buckle.
