200 jobs to go at Wedgwood
MORE than 200 manufacturing workers are to be axed by Wedgwood's new U.S. owners.
WWRD Holdings says it has a "strong commitment" to North Staffordshire, and that it will continue to produce "core" tableware at the World famous brand's headquarters - not just low-volume, prestige products as had been feared.
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Directors blame the recession for the cuts which comes almost three months since Wedgwood was formally bought out of administration by KPS Equity Partners.
Pierre de Villeméjane, chief executive officer of WWRD, said: "The fact that significant production will continue in Barlaston confirms our strong commitment to the region and to the preservation and enhancement of our unrivalled heritage that has been built in the heart of the Potteries over the last 250 years.
"We will continue to invest in and capitalise on the unique craftsmanship, innovation and quality, inherent to our Barlaston factory, that have made our brands including Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and Minton world famous.
"Unfortunately, we also have to reduce our production capacity and cost structure to respond to the unprecedented downturn that has hit the luxury tabletop and giftware industry worldwide.
"We will, of course, do everything we can to assist any employees that may be affected by this process, and hope to reduce the number of potential compulsory redundancies by implementing a voluntary redundancy programme."
The consultation period starts today and will operate for a minimum of 90 days.
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16 Comments
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by Tom, stoke
Thursday, May 14 2009, 8:21AM
“we should all move to indonesia be better off over there.”
by debbie barton, shropshire
Thursday, May 14 2009, 7:15AM
“Ive been reading all your comments with interest? what about the workers who have been on the shop floors while all this has been going on? they have worked hard all over xmas then to be told in jan the company has gone into administration,then it gets brought! celebrations i dont think so they kept on working with no stock, no money for sundries no news they kept working for the name and the product. only to be told last week in a meeting that they were pulling out of most of the debenhams concessions more redundancies that was kept in the dark..so please even though i have full remorse for the barlaston site and its workers the people out there selling the product are being hit too...”
by Mike Harrington, Ex Wedgewood retaiier,Chesterfield.
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 6:27PM
“SAD.....SAd...Sad and sadder, As an ex Wedgewood retailer now retired I find the entire situation so depressing, my heart goes out to all the wonderful employees I used to meet at Barlaston both in the factory and the administration departments. I have followed this story as it has unfolded and it comes as no suprise that all the family silver will be disposed off and all the assets stripped in the name of greed.It is such a shame that the Wedgwood family were unable to secure the company. I feel that Barlaston would have stood a better chance of survival.”
by Marguerite, western U.S.
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 4:54PM
“This is so incredibly sad. It is death in the potteries. Wedgewood will exist in name only but will not exist in England.”
by Moose, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 2:55PM
“Please don't tell me anybody is shocked by this - come on, this is a equity firm. All to easy to blame the recession....shocking.”