POTTERY giant Portmeirion has launched an exclusive new collection to mark the 10th anniversary of its best-selling tableware range.

The Stoke-based firm has produced 10 new mugs to mark the milestone of Portmeirion for Sophie Conran.

New coloured mugs have been introduced to the all-white range as the company celebrates its decade-long relationship with the popular designer.

Warren Gell, head of sales at Portmeirion, said: “The new pieces are on trend at the moment, they are all in this season’s popular colours and there is 10 new mugs to mark the 10th anniversary.

“Since the Great British Bake Off we have seen an increased interest in baking products as well, so as part of the celebration we have also launched a baking range which includes anything from a mixing bowl to a berry strainer. We’ve also got some new Sophie Conran Christmas decorations which have just been launched.”

Portmeirion posted record figures last year and announced the creation of more than 30 new jobs. Now, with the launch of its £1.5 million kiln, the firm has set its sights on further growth in 2016.

Warren added: “Our aim for this year is to break into new markets such as gift shops and smaller, independent retailers.

“And now our new kiln is up and running it will mean we can produce around 200,000 pieces a week instead of 150,000.”

The company launched the new collection at Spring Fair 2016 yesterday.

It is among dozens of companies from North Staffordshire exhibiting at Birmingham’s NEC Arena this week.
Pottery firm Dunoon, based in Stone, has been exhibiting at the annual event since 1976.

Sales director Peter Smith said: “This year we are showcasing a new mug shape which has been manufactured at our factory in Stone. We do slip casting as opposed to machine made products which means they are really fine and light in weight, we have had a lot of success with light mugs in the past so we’ve developed this new shape, called the Argyll, which is light, slimmer and taller compared to some of our other ranges.”

And Chris Eardley’s son William was the inspiration behind one of Buttercup China’s latest collections.

The company, based in Longton, has produced the RAF range, which features a Spitfire and Lancaster bomber, in a bid to encourage more men to buy the products.

Company director Chris said: “We had a few people asking for RAF-related products. I have a personal interest in the armed forces, because my son William is a fighter pilot. He’s been in the RAF since 2007. It’s one of our more masculine ranges too, so it’s a bit different then our usual flowery, more feminine designs.”

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