This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7918377.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Sale disappoints Wedgwood cousins | Sale disappoints Wedgwood cousins |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two members of the Wedgwood family who put in a bid to buy the pottery firm have said they are "very disappointed" it has been sold to a rival bidder. | Two members of the Wedgwood family who put in a bid to buy the pottery firm have said they are "very disappointed" it has been sold to a rival bidder. |
Waterford Wedgwood, which went into administration in January, has been sold to a US private equity firm. | Waterford Wedgwood, which went into administration in January, has been sold to a US private equity firm. |
Cousins Tom D Wedgwood and Tom R Wedgwood, eighth generation descendants of founder Josiah Wedgwood, said they wanted to keep jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. | Cousins Tom D Wedgwood and Tom R Wedgwood, eighth generation descendants of founder Josiah Wedgwood, said they wanted to keep jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. |
It is not yet known what will happen to the firm's UK production. | It is not yet known what will happen to the firm's UK production. |
The new owner KPS Capital Partners will acquire most of the firm's UK and overseas assets. | The new owner KPS Capital Partners will acquire most of the firm's UK and overseas assets. |
'Very disappointed' | 'Very disappointed' |
A statement released by the Wedgwood cousins urged the group to keep production in Stoke-on-Trent. | A statement released by the Wedgwood cousins urged the group to keep production in Stoke-on-Trent. |
It said: "We are very disappointed that our bid made three weeks ago for the Waterford Wedgwood Group did not succeed. | It said: "We are very disappointed that our bid made three weeks ago for the Waterford Wedgwood Group did not succeed. |
"We are, and always will be, passionate about retaining and rebuilding the reputation of Stoke-on-Trent as the centre of the world's fine bone china industry and we will vigorously pursue any and all avenues to ensure this vision for the future. | "We are, and always will be, passionate about retaining and rebuilding the reputation of Stoke-on-Trent as the centre of the world's fine bone china industry and we will vigorously pursue any and all avenues to ensure this vision for the future. |
"We are not disheartened by this setback and will continue our fight to maintain and grow the unique skills built up over generations in this city." | "We are not disheartened by this setback and will continue our fight to maintain and grow the unique skills built up over generations in this city." |
A spokesman for the family said that all information regarding the bid had been covered by confidentiality agreements. | |
The firm employed 1,900 staff in the UK and 600 at its factory in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, but has announced 367 redundancies. | The firm employed 1,900 staff in the UK and 600 at its factory in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, but has announced 367 redundancies. |
The Irish section of the firm has about 800 staff based in Waterford. | The Irish section of the firm has about 800 staff based in Waterford. |
Previous version
1
Next version