With the crash, bang, wallop days long gone for The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, the sector is enjoying a true renaissance. Countries around the world are clamouring for the Made in England back stamp, with ceramics manufacturers among those recently featured in the Hot 100 Businesses chart compiled by the Stoke Sentinel, highlighting their expansion, investment and job creation plans.
Churchill China has pledged to invest £1m in its Stoke HQ after seeing profits and revenues rise last year. The company is planning to re-invest the proceeds from its manufacturing plant into its factory to increase the company’s capacity, capability and efficiency. Portmeirion too, recently celebrated a 10.6% increase in revenue to £84.8m in 2017, up from £76.7m the previous year with export a focus for the next 12 months.
Emma Bridgwater is also investing over £1m in creating more than 70 new jobs over the next three years, while gothic/fantasy gift company Nemesis Now is undertaking a £250,000 expansion programme to create a new showroom and offices, which will see the creation of 25 new jobs.
Also looking to expansion is Wade Ceramics, which will be opening a new factory in Stoke on Trent later this year. It will allow the company to increase the manufacture of its non-spirit giftware to include its gluggle jugs (fish shaped water pitchers).
Top: The Potteries are currently on a roll, with manufacturers investing in the future of Stoke-on-Trent.
