Transparent deal as Black Country glassmakers sold to US-owned firm
STOURBRIDGE glassmakers Tudor Crystal Design and Plowden & Thompson (P&T) have been sold to one of their largest customers, American-owned ET Enterprises.
Tudor and P&T are based in the Dial Glass Works, built in 1788, on the historic Glass Mile. Each company can trace its origins back to the 18th century making them some of the oldest firms still in existence in the region.
A team from Brierley Hill-based legal firm Higgs & Sons advised on the sale, the amount of which is undisclosed.
The directors of Tudor & P&T, Richard and Barbara Beadman, specialise in traditional stemware, giftware, decorative lead crystal and coloured glass. Alongside this they have developed innovative glass for research work including award-winning night vision compatible glass.
David Ellis from Higgs & Sons led the team dealing with the sale. He said: “It makes a change to deal with a local business that has been in existence even longer than we have and is very much a part of the local heritage. This was a smashing company to deal with and we are very pleased to have been able to assist in achieving a successful sale.”
Richard and Barbara Beadman will remain involved in the business for the immediate future while the buyer brings in additional production lines and looks to recruit further management and staff.
