“I feel I need to weigh in here from across the pond. I certainly understand economics and also the global economy. i spend time in India and my daughter who is just finishing university in economics from the U.K. is soon on her way to China for a year, so I am not against globalization. Like everyone else I also enjoy cheap electronics and tools, however, this is different. I think this has to do more with a country's and a region's identity. Losing the china industry or a significant part of it has to be demoralizing for Stoke. The area is called the potteries. Wedgewood is English and china is identified globally with England and the potteries just as cheap electronics and tools as well as call centers are identified with Asia. I think there needs to be a long term view of what the loss can be when a country/region's view of itself is diminished. There is more than just economics here. I also agree with someone else here who said they thought the quality of fine china would to some extent diminish if almost all was manufactured in Asia. Certainly not all, but some would diminish. Again, its about identity. Let's not err on the side that all globalization is bad, nor is it all good. Some additional aspects need to be considered beyond financial costs. An old Joni Mitchell song said, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til its gone..."”

“Mark, Hanley. I'm sorry but you say The vast majority who buy Wedwood couldn't care less where it's made and the quality won't be compromised no matter which factory it's manufactured in. Rubbish! I've seen the quality made in Indonesia. Friends pack the stuff every day. The quality is horendous. The management couldn't care less about the quality or heritage anymore, they are just interested in making a quick buck before they sell up and run leaving Wedgwood dead! The majority of people who buy Wedgwood buy it because it says Wedgwood "ENGLAND" not Indonesia!! You can't moan about people in Stoke on Trent complaining about the current situation when we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and also some of the lowest wages.”

“Mark.. the point I am trying to make is that you can not simply pick up production from Barlaston and expect to make the same high quality product in Indo. The rational being that production of high quality fbc is not completely automated therefore requiring some form of manual process. That's where the experience and skill comes in and that's where bpo's fail. Now wether or not the consumer wants the product in the first place is another question! Globalization is inevitable but it comes at a cost, economicaly and socialy.
I'm not off to India tomorrow but but I deal with this stuff every day and its not getting any better.”

“Well said, Mark thank goodness there is someone out there that can put the emotions aside and understand the realty of sruvival. This is not the death of Wedgwood,
Unfortunately it is the reality of the modern world!”

“Chirs, you seem to be concluding there is only one story and one possible outcome with this type of business reorganisation. Are you suggesting that everything that comes out of Asia is of inferior quality? We'd all better throw away all our electricals at once then.

I'm fairy confident that it has crossed the minds of those in the driving seat at Wedgwood that the quality of its products is kind of important, just as I'm sure that the quality control systems they have in place will be excellent wherever manufacturing is sited.

I have also spent a considerable amount of time in India (in fact I am flying back out there on Monday) and am very aware that the almost ubiquitous bureaucracy, corruption and general chaos that exists there has left more than more than organisation battered and bruised; I'm equally aware there have been countless roaring success stories, however, and will be many, many more in the future.”

“Mark.. fair point but I have a lot of experience with BPOs in particular India. While it may be a cost save on the face of it. The delays, errors and reworks are horrendous. Quality DOES suffer and when your product is perceived a as premium product that ultimately will affect the bottom line.”

“Francis, Mow Cop: Sounds like you are one of the few that have not suffered in any way from the depression.”

“Wedgwood are doing themselves no favours. No one will buy it the name synomous with Stoke on Trent not Asia. I've had countless dinner sets from Asia and after a couple of washes are only fit for the bin. RIP Wedgwood.”

“The bottom line is profit,the new owners are simply protecting their product. Time has moved on and there is no room for sentiment in the business world. That's why so many people are losing their jobs at the moment as companies try to stay afloat by cutting their costs. It's sad for the area but a fact of life.”

“What didi people expect when an American equity firm that probably knows next to nothing about pottery and it's links to the area buys Wedgwood then makes a load of people at Stoke redundant when it has a far cheaper manufacturing plant in Indonesia? They are in it to make money and they will do what they have to to do that aswell, they're not bothered about heritage, history or peoples jobs, unfortunately UK workers are outpricing themselves when it comes to foreign competition to get the job done and things will only get worse.”