Ceramics company Wedgwood is freezing production for 90 days at its Staffordshire factory, placing 70 workers on leave, due to weaker demand and ongoing pressures faced by the sector.<\/p>\n
Wedgwood owner Fiskars Group described the shutdown as a short-term measure to mitigate a drop in demand in some of its key markets. The shutdown will begin as of Monday, 29 September.<\/p>\n
Factory tours at the ‘World of Wedgwood’ attraction will also be paused by the company until at least the new year.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson from Wedgwood said: \u201cThis short-term measure is being taken to address elevated inventory levels caused by lower consumer demand in some of our key markets.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarlaston and its community are of key importance to Fiskars Group and Wedgwood.\u201d<\/p>\n
With its headquarters in Barlaston near Stoke-on-Trent, Wedgwood makes high-end porcelain products and home accessories. The heritage brand employs 274 staff in Barlaston, with many more working globally in markets such as Japan and China, where the majority of Wedgwood stores are based.<\/p>\n
According to the company, techniques pioneered by Staffordshire-born founder Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th century are still being used by its artisans.<\/p>\n
In recent years, the ceramics sector has struggled due to rising costs and higher energy bills in particular. Multiple potteries in Staffordshire have shut down, including the Royal Stafford which closed in February after operating for nearly 200 years.<\/p>\n
A Fiskars spokesperson added: \u201cThis living tradition reflects our commitment to craftsmanship, the value of Made in England and Barlaston\u2019s enduring role in our heritage and operations”.<\/p>\n
Fiskars Group, which employs 6,850 staff, also owns other ceramics and porcelain brands including Royal Copenhagen and Royal Doulton.<\/p>\n
The Finland-based group reported net sales of \u20ac1.2bn (\u00a31bn) in 2024. But despite sales having gone up slightly from \u20ac1.1bn in the previous year, its pre-tax profit nosedived by 77% to \u20ac18.5m (from \u20ac79.7m).<\/p>\n
Fiskars said US tariffs had impacted demand, causing it to lower its profit guidance in June. The US makes up about 30% of the group’s sales.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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