Pottery boss 'optimistic' for industry's future

The boss of a pottery firm has said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the industry's future, provided government support is forthcoming.

Mike Raybould, CEO of Portmeirion - which also owns the Spode brand - said despite recent difficulties, he believed there could be a bright future for the wider ceramics industry.

Energy costs were among the biggest problems facing pottery firms, he said, and he urged government do more to help in order to "level the playing field" with other countries.

His firm's wares are currently sold in about 60 countries globally.

"What we find, with our brands, they are loved around the world," he said.

"People respect the 'made in the UK', the 'made in Stoke', the heritage that goes with that, the love and the craft that this city has in spades."

He added his firm was launching a fresh push this week to highlight its own heritage.

Spode originated in 1770, he said, and he wanted people who worked for the firm to feel proud that their wares had been made in the city.

A new logo and backstamp for his company's products would ensure the firm's origins were made clear, he said.

"Stoke-on-Trent was the centre of the UK ceramic industry for a reason, and a leader for 100-200 years, so we have to believe it's important.

"We have a skill base in this city that is second-to-none, and we've got to cherish that."

Although more than two thirds of his products are sold abroad, Mr Raybould said there was a "huge opportunity" to increase the industry's footprint further in other countries if it received the support it needed.

"We really, really hope that this time the government recognises the importance of Stoke-on-Trent and the UK ceramics industry," he said.

"Clearly it's been a tough four or five years for the consumer around the world in terms of the cost of living crisis.

"But really it's cost inflation – in particular energy costs. Soaring energy costs in this country have been a real problem, I think, for the industry generally."

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