Wedgwood Halts Production Temporarily Amidst Market Slump
Wedgwood, the renowned pottery manufacturer based in Barlaston, Staffordshire, has temporarily halted production. The pause, lasting up to 90 days, affects around 250 employees, with 70 skilled workers, including those producing fine bone china and Jasperware, placed on temporary leave. Factory tours have also ceased during this period.
The Fiskars Group, which owns Wedgwood, attributes the pause to elevated inventory levels due to lower consumer demand in key markets. This is not the first time Wedgwood has faced challenges. In 2009, the company went into administration, leading to the sale of the Wedgwood collection to the V&A Museum to pay staff pension debts. Previously, in the 1990s, Wedgwood faced criticism for neglecting Barlaston Hall and outsourcing work to Indonesia.
Despite these setbacks, Wedgwood continues to be a symbol of British craftsmanship. Other potteries around Stoke-on-Trent, such as Emma Bridgewater and the Burleigh Factory, also thrive, producing objects that enrich daily life. Athena, the cultural crusader who writes a weekly column in the platform's magazine, has highlighted the importance of appreciating the unique combination of quality, craftsmanship, and history that makes Wedgwood ceramics special.
Wedgwood employees will be fully paid during the production suspension. The company and its stakeholders hope that this pause will allow for a reboot, ensuring the continued production of high-quality ceramics that have been a staple in homes worldwide for centuries. The future of Wedgwood remains uncertain, but its legacy and the skills of its workforce are undeniable.
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