At Portmeirion’s factory in Staffordshire, employees mould, glaze and fire clays to produce tableware. The company, founded in 1960 and based in Stoke-on-Trent, employs 433 people. The craft is central to the region’s identity, known as the Potteries. Sam Pearce, chief operating officer, noted that the industry forms a key part of the city’s heritage. The UK ceramics sector employs 20,000 people, half in the West Midlands. It supplies household goods such as crockery, tiles and bricks, as well as components for defence and technology. The industry faces pressure from global competition, higher labour costs and rising energy prices, which increased after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recent Middle East tensions. Several firms have closed or struggled, including Royal Stafford, Heraldic Pottery, Wedgwood and Denby. Michael Scheepers, Portmeirion’s chief executive, said the sector is under significant strain. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £120m package last month to aid energy efficiency and competitiveness, with Ceramics UK involved in its design. Rob Flello, chief executive of Ceramics UK, highlighted energy costs as a major issue, with gas prices up 50% since the Iran conflict began. He criticised the net zero target by 2050, arguing it risks deindustrialisation. Alex Patrick-Smith of Dreadnought Tiles supported calls for realistic targets, noting the loss of domestic supply chains and the strategic importance of local production.
