Stoke-on-Trent manufacturer Duchess China 1888 has secured its largest-ever order from JCB, in a major boost to the city’s historic pottery industry.
The Longton business will supply around 1,300 fine bone china cups, saucers, plates, teapots and coffee pots to JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester, sites in North America and Brazil, and dealerships across the UK, Europe and Panama.
The deal takes a relationship spanning more than 25 years across multiple international sites for the first time.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Flying the flag for great British business wherever we can is important to JCB and particularly so for fellow Staffordshire industries.
“The Potteries and its people have always held a special place in my heart and I’m pleased JCB can do its bit to support the ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent.
“I’m also delighted that some of our overseas factories and dealers will be using Duchess China products to showcase the area’s ceramics skills at JCB sites around the world.”
Duchess co-owner and director Jason Simms said each piece passes through up to 30 pairs of hands. Its clay is made in Stoke-on-Trent and local craftspeople provide specialist skills including gilding and hand painting.
“We have much in common with JCB; we both have proud histories in this county, we both produce the highest quality products and we are both ambitious,” he said.
The company also counts Harrods, The Orient Express, Burberry and Jimmy Choo among its clients.
The JCB partnership will also extend into retail, with branded mugs embossed with 22ct gold being offered to collectors for the first time through JCB’s Visitor Centre gift shop and online store.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the order was a “major vote of confidence” in the city’s ceramics industry.
She said: “This is fantastic news, not just for the ceramics industry but for the whole of the city.
“For one of Britain’s best-known businesses to place such a significant order with Duchess China is a major vote of confidence in the industry that made us world famous – and in the skill, craftsmanship and innovation that continue to produce exceptional ceramics today.
“At a time when ceramics manufacturing continues to face challenges, this shows there is strong demand for the exceptional products made in Stoke-on-Trent.
“Alongside the government’s recent support for the ceramics sector, this news demonstrates that the industry remains vital to the city – and to the country’s future.”
