Ceramics specialist sets up US subsidiary

A STOKE-ON-TRENT firm that supplies products to the city’s most celebrated industry is spreading its wings by announcing an expansion into the United States.

IPS Ceramics, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, supplies a range of products for kiln, furnaces and other technical ceramics operations.

The firm said it had been exploring its growth options and capitalising on its strong trading links with the USA seemed the best option.

The new operation will be a fully-fledged subsidiary and will trade as IPS Ceramics USA Ltd. It will be headquartered in Cornelius, North Carolina and will be led on a day-to-day basis by vice president Mike Jackson.

Phil Green, IPS sales director said the firm had outlined its proposals while participating in a US trade show – Ceramics Expo, held in Cleveland, Ohio – and the response had been very positive.

“The news was very well received,” he said. “Mike brings with him an in-depth knowledge and experience, not only of the traditional and technical sides of the ceramic industry, but also of the different aspects of the whole US market.”

Mr Green said the firm had enjoyed strong trading links with the USA for a long time and counted some of the major manufacturers there as important customers.

These include buyers of both cordierite kiln furniture – especially in the sanitaryware and tableware sectors – and of technical ceramics.

“Having a dedicated office and personnel will enable the company to improve its service to customers right across north, mid and south USA,” said Mr Green.

He said it would also provide the impetus for strategic growth in the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) region as well as important South American markets.

Sukhjinder Singh, president of the newly incorporated company, and managing director of IPS Ceramics in the UK, added: “We are all very excited and proud about the establishment of IPS Ceramics USA.

“We have created strong links with customers right across North America but investing in a permanent base for IPS in the USA was the next logical step in our quest to significantly expand our business there – as well as providing for even closer customer/supplier relationships.”

Mr Jackson has spent several decades in the ceramic industry, having been based both in the UK and the USA. He has compiled technical sales experience with Dyson Thermal Ceramics while more recently, he has been running US sales of ceramic and ceramic-related portfolios.

“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of leading the operations of IPS Ceramics USA,” he said.

“The company has so much to offer in terms of refractories and technical ceramics and it has the deep levels of experience and technical ability which I know will be appreciated by the advanced manufacturing sector here in North America.”

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