140 jobs lost as pottery giant collapses into administration

Pottery giant Wade Ceramics has collapsed into administration with the loss of around 140 jobs.

Wades Ceramics, which has been producing ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent for more than two centuries, blamed the decision on the loss of a major customer and the current economic situation.
BDO LLP business restructuring partners Kerry Bailey and James Stephen have been appointed joint administrators.

In response to the news of Wade’s administration, the GMB Union has called for “urgent Government action” .

Today it warned the Government “against sitting on the side-lines any longer as an iconic British industry is left to struggle alone”.

Wendy Grieveson, GMB Midlands organiser, said: “Wade Ceramics is an integral part of Stoke-on-Trent manufacturing. Our town is built on the potteries industry. To see the Government stand by as an iconic British brand is left to collapse into administration is shameful.

“The Government must act now to support the Stoke ceramic industry, as part of urgent support for energy intensive industries and manufacturing.

“GMB is the union for workers in the potteries. For our members at Wades to be facing redundancies just before Christmas is a scandal.

“Warm words will no longer cut it, and the eye watering costs of energy for firms like Wade are now having a real-world impact on people and communities.

“Energy intensive industries like ceramics have seen woefully inadequate levels of support from central Government in light of the energy crisis.

“The message of our members is clear, we need urgent action from the Government now to keep the kilns lit and protect British manufacturing in the potteries.”

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