Historic Stoke-on-Trent ceramics manufacturer Duchess China has secured a six-figure investment to support its growth, strengthen its manufacturing operation and develop specialist skills.
The Longton-based firm has welcomed Rob Ward and Kieran Donovan from creative industries investment company Open to Ideas as investors as it looks to expand its UK and international business.
Rob and Kieran have invested in the business alongside existing directors Jason Simms and Andy Tooth, who will continue to lead the firm.
The investment, made in recent weeks, will support spending on the factory and manufacturing capability, as well as the development and protection of specialist skills.
It will also help Duchess China expanding its product range and brand, explore new collaborations and grow its the presence in domestic and international markets.
Established in 1888, the company currently employs 59 people and is one of the last historic fine bone china manufacturers still producing in the UK. Every piece is made at its Longton factory.
Rob said: “There is something extraordinary about finding a genuinely world-class product still being made in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Much of it by hand, using skills and craftsmanship that have been developed and passed down through generations.
“Our ambition is to build on that. We want to invest in the people, skills and manufacturing capability here in Stoke, develop the products and the brand and take what is a fantastic British-made product to many more customers and markets around the world.”
Jason said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the brand. Andy and I have spent many years building the business, protecting the skills and manufacturing heritage that sit at its heart.
“Rob and Kieran share our belief in Duchess, our people and our products. Their investment gives us the opportunity to build on everything we have achieved.
“We now have the resources and ambition to invest, grow and introduce Duchess to a much wider audience, while continuing to make our fine bone china here in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, as we have done since 1888.”
Duchess China has worked on a number of high-profile projects, including producing David Hockney’s A Year in Normandie bone china vases for The Serpentine, bespoke tableware for Baz Luhrmann’s Celia carriage on the Belmond British Pullman and the Capel Salem mug collection for Keith Brymer Jones.
The company also launched a new factory tour earlier this year.
