Waterford Wedgwood
The Waterford Wedgwood plc, based in Waterford, Ireland was a holding company, which specializes in the production of high quality porcelain and crystal glass.
The company generated in fiscal year 2008 with a total of 8,089 employees generated sales of 671.8 million euros.
Until the 5th of January 2009 was the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE: WTFU ) listed.
History
The Wedgwood pottery factory was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood in Stoke -on-Trent. In 1986 it was taken over by the Irish crystal manufacturer Waterford, whose founding dates back to the year 1783. As a result of the acquisition, the current holding company, which occurs under the names of both traditional brands originated.
In early 1997, took advantage of Waterford Wedgwood, the sales crisis in the Bavarian Rosenthal AG and initially acquired a stake of 9.1 percent. During the year, Waterford Wedgwood increased with 61.5 percent of the shares to the majority shareholder. By 2008, the equity share rose to 89.9 percent. On January 5, 2009 must be the parent of insolvency for the financially ailing daughter. But the Irish company had to file for bankruptcy. Under the umbrella of the U.S. investment company KPS Capital Partners, the company in 2009 as WWRD Holding was - (Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton ) rearranged. In summer 2009, Rosenthal was sold to the Italian cutlery manufacturer Sambonet Paderno. The distribution of the Swiss kitchenware manufacturer Spring was awarded to the company in Solingen kitchen pro.
Corporate Structure
At the Waterford Wedgwood plc includes the following companies:
- Waterford Crystal
- Josiah Wedgwood & Sons
- Royal Doulton
- Cash's of Ireland
Products
The main products include:
- Glasses (wine glasses, champagne glasses, vases, etc.)
- Porcelains (service, place settings, toilet utensils )
- Lighting units ( wall fixtures, table lamps, chandeliers and candlesticks )
- Gift items.