Wedgwood job cut numbers confirmed
World-famous pottery manufacturer Wedgwood has confirmed that 103 jobs will be axed at its Staffordshire site.
The company’s Finnish owners Fiskars confirmed that almost a quarter of Wedgwood’s UK staff will be made redundant. Global marketing and product development will remain on-site.
Ninety-seven jobs will be lost in manufacturing posts and a further six from restaurant operations at the company’s Barlaston site.
The company says the cuts will “strengthen the long-term health of the business” as it tries to “reduce complexity” across its portfolio of companies, according to a consultation document published by Fiskars.
Fiskars said that moving forward, manufacturing operations in Barlaston will focus on hand crafted, high-end products, including fine bone china.
A consultation on job losses was launched in March this year which suggested that 145 positions could be axed, but this number has been reduced to 103.
Ulla Lettijeff, president, living business, Fiskars Group said: “We have had to make difficult decisions to strengthen the long-term health of the business and improve the competitiveness of the Wedgwood brand.
“We recognise and value the substantial contribution made by all our employees, and are committed to providing a comprehensive package of support to those who are impacted by these changes.
“We will also continue to develop our Barlaston site as a strong home for Wedgwood and as a visitor attraction.”
Union GMB which represents a workers at Wedgwood factory, called the jobs losses “a scandal”.
The union demanded that a £5m grant given to the pottery manufacturers in 2014 be returned, although according to the government announcement at the time of the grant, its purpose was to allow Wedgwood to safeguard 440 jobs and create 102 new ones in Stoke.
Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: “Obviously we’re happy that less of our members are about to have their jobs taken away from them – but it’s still devastating news. This is a company that received more than £5m of taxpayer cash to create and keep jobs in the potteries.
“It’s a scandal of epic proportions – this money should be immediately returned to the public purse.”
Wedgwood, founded in 1759, is one of the oldest companies in the world. It was set up by Josiah Wedgwood, the grandfather of naturalist Charles Darwin.
