Royal Worcester and Spode

Type
Internal restructuring
Country
United Kingdom
Region
West Midlands (England);
Location of affected unit(s)
Stoke on Trent, Worcester
Sector
Manufacturing
(22 - 23) Manufacture of rubber, plastic and non-metallic minerals
23.4 - Manufacture of other porcelain and ceramic products
23.41 - Manufacture of ceramic household and ornamental articles
250 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
23 February 2007
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
30 June 2007

Description

Royal Worcester and Spode announced in November 2006 that 200 jobs would be lost but have now revised the figure to 250.

The cuts, at its factories in Worcester and Stoke-on-Trent, will now take effect in June after passing the original date of January.

A spokesman for the union Unity said the company blamed the increase on adverse trading conditions and the future of manufacturing in Stoke. 'The workers were shocked but weren't surprised by the decision. They had a rough idea when they were told yesterday', Garry Oakes, deputy general secretary for the union.

Up to 160 workers will remain at the factory in Stoke-on-Trent, he added.

The firm was chosen to provide the prime minister's present for the Queen's 80th birthday in the summer.

Josiah Spode began manufacturing his wares in about 1770.

Sources

  • 23 February 2007: BBC News
  • 30 November 2006: BBC News

Citation

Eurofound (2007), Royal Worcester and Spode, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 64979, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/64979.