Staffordshire Tableware
KEY DATES
Aug 1990 Staffordshire Tableware formed by management buyout of
Coloroll Ceramics
Sep 1994 Biltons Tableware put up for sale
1995 Management buyout of Biltons Tableware for £4M
Nov 1999 One third of Meir site sold to retailer
Dec 2000 Staffordshire Tableware in receivership
DESCRIPTION
Staffordshire Tableware was created by a management buyout of Coloroll Ceramics Division in 1990. At this point in time they held 30% share of the UK dinnerware market. A range of china beakers was introduced in 1990.
Their main ranges continued as Biltons, Kilncraft and Medici, the first two co-ordinating with a range of household items such as aprons, storage jars, kitchen tools, ironing boards, cutlery etc. The company continued production of promotional mugs for events such as the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and for TV series such as Spitting Image.
A policy of outsourcing some production abroad was implemented around 1994. Christopher Wren giftware was designed in Stoke-on-Trent but manufactured by the Reliant Company of Taiwan in the Philippines, whilst wares made in India and Europe were being sold from the Meir site under the name Freestyle Trading Company. In 1997 the company decided to abandon this policy quoting poor quality and late delivery as their reasons.
The 1994 catalogue shows the range of tableware and oven-to-tableware as mainly bold floral patterns on a plain background, with a new fluted shape – Sandringham – in pastel colours for more formal dining. The emphasis, however, in both 1994 and 1998 was still on the production of mugs.
The company went into receivership in 2000 when the Bank of Scotland refused to extend its loan facility. The receivers blamed the collapse of the company on the worldwide economic environment and overseas competition.
COLLECTION DETAILS
In 2001 the Museum received a collection of pottery items from the receivers who were emptying the factory prior to its sale. These included many contemporary wares and also a selection of items from the company’s predecessors, such as Keele Street Pottery and Staffordshire Potteries.
