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In Profile: Portmeirion Group
Some 12 months into a four year growth strategy, Portmeirion is continuing to invest in the company’s brands, focusing on new designs, growing new markets on a global stage, and reinforcing the company’s relationship with its customers, both in the UK and around the world. There is also a big emphasis on Portmeirion Group’s unique heritage - which includes Royal Worcester (founded in 1751) and Spode (celebrating 250 years in 2020) – with giftability across the portfolio taking centre stage. With Spring Fair and Ambiente ready and waiting to open their doors, Portmeirion Group’s sales and marketing director Phil Atherton invited PG&H to the company’s Stoke-on-Trent showroom to take a peek at the key new launches.
A Point Of Difference
With retailers constantly looking for new, new, new, Phil Atherton couldn’t be more excited to unveil the company’s brand new launches for Spring/Summer. There are three collections Botanic Garden Harmony (Portmeirion), Atrium (Portmeirion) and Kingsley (Spode). Complementing the new ranges will be a range of home fragrance products from Wax Lyrical, among the largest British manufacturers of home fragrance - acquired by Portmeirion in 2016 - which plays an increasingly large and integrated role in the Portmeirion Group portfolio. “Featuring the brand name Wax Lyrical gives the home fragrance products authenticity, promoting opportunities for the company on a global stage,” explains Phil. “The appeal, especially for international markets, across both collections, is that most items have been manufactured in the UK, with the ceramics produced at our factory here in Stoke-on-Trent, and the Wax Lyrical branded products manufactured at the company’s factory in the Lake District.” Starting with the ceramic ranges, the designs have been heavily influenced by the current trend to bring the outside in, while remaining steeped in each of the three brand’s individual heritage. Having celebrated
Portmeirion’s founder Susan Williams-Ellis’ centenary in 2018, (see Ahead Of Her Time on page 75), Botanic Garden Harmony reflects Susan’s groundbreaking Botanic Garden design, with the collection aimed at attracting new consumers. Colours too, reflect the outdoors - moss green, forest green, stone and amber - with Phil pointing out that the laurel leaf embossing links back to the original Botanic Garden design. It’s a ‘first’ for the range, as is the fact that it has been single glazed. Would Susan have
Top: Brand new for 2019, Botanic Garden Harmony from Portmeirion. Above: Phil Atherton, Portmeirion Group’s sales and marketing director. Below: The new Kingsley collection from Spode takes its patterns from the Spode archives.
approved? “She would have loved it,” enthuses Phil. “Susan was a pioneer in mix and match and casual designing, and her aim was always to bring the outdoors in through her designs. Coupled with the laurel leaf embossing and single glaze, the collection is a great accomplishment, both for the brand and as a standalone range.” Portmeirion’s Atrium meanwhile, reflects the florals that have been seen on the catwalks, complemented by geometrics and texture. There are also wine glasses and champagne flutes, with the packaging very gift-led. “With a focus on history and heritage, the new launches reinforce enjoying a ‘Portmeirion moment’,” explains Phil. “By that I mean being casual and relaxed when entertaining, which was very much Susan’s philosophy.” Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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