Interview Portmeirion
“Ceramics shares many of the same characteristics as other sectors that already benefit from targeted relief” Custodian of heritage brands Portmeirion and Spode, Michael Scheepers has recently been named CEO of Portmeirion Group. He speaks with Tableware International about the stressors currently being placed on the British ceramics industry, why it is important for Spode to highlight its authenticity as a Made in Stoke brand and how the retail landscape is evolving… Thank you for speaking with us, how would you sum up the past year for the ceramics trade globally? The past year has largely been defined by continued volatility and adjustment across the global ceramics trade, but also encouraging shifts in consumer demands. At the forefront, geopolitical instability has fed into
of the Iran war will lower UK economic growth more than anyone in the G7. At the same time, we’ve seen persistent inflationary pressure across raw materials, logistics and labour, alongside a highly competitive global market where many international producers operate with structurally lower costs. That combination has
“We passionately believe that with the right support, the sector can continue to compete internationally”
Did you know? Portmeirion employs more than 400 people in its Stoke-onTrent factory. 38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
ongoing uncertainty in energy markets. While the effects are often indirect, tensions in the region can disrupt supply expectations and drive uncertainty in global energy pricing, which in turn impacts UK manufacturers. For an energy-intensive sector like ceramics, this adds another layer of unpredictability with independent studies reporting that the impact
made the trading environment particularly challenging for UK manufacturers. It is encouraging to see His Majesty’s Government’s recent support of UK ceramics with the announcement of a £120m fund that recognises the important role that our sector contributes to British industry. This action underpins
our confidence to continue our investments as we look to elevate our heritage brands to a wider global consumer and drive our export business. We are also seeing a shift in consumer behaviour towards considered purchasing and greater appreciation for quality, origin and longevity over faster trend-led consumption or disposability. That plays to the strengths of established