Pottery profits perform well at Portmeirion

POTTERY manufacturer Portmeirion has seen its revenues climb in the first half of 2010, the company announced today.

In its interim results for the six months ended June 30, revenues rose to £21m from £17m in the first half of 2009.

Year-on-year pre-tax profit climbed to £1m from £0.5m while earnings per share were up by 85% to 6.49p.

The Stoke-on-Trent company said exports were performing well, particularly to America, South Korea and Canada while it had continued to invest in existing product ranges.

It had also integrated its Spode and Royal Worcester brands and invested in these patterns as well as creating 39 new jobs over the past year, mainly in production.

Non-executive chairman Dick Steele said: “This is a strong set of results, achieved despite difficult worldwide economic conditions, and demonstrates the strength of our brands.

“Last year’s acquisition of the Spode and Royal Worcester brands has accelerated our growth and we continue to invest in these brands.

“The performance of the first six months lays good foundations for the full year, and we are confident of the group’s prospects.”