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Post by bathstoke on Apr 4, 2019 18:40:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2019 19:02:08 GMT
Awful news - sounds like none of the workforce had a clue how serious things were.
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Post by telfordstoke on Apr 4, 2019 19:04:58 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees
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Post by bathstoke on Apr 4, 2019 20:08:22 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees If you could manage the boredom, the money was good back then |
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Post by telfordstoke on Apr 4, 2019 20:10:38 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees If you could manage the boredom, the money was good back then Agreed, I used to see a girl from Hanley who worked at Spode in day and was barmaid in evening , she made decent money |
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Post by bathstoke on Apr 4, 2019 20:13:26 GMT
If you could manage the boredom, the money was good back then Agreed, I used to see a girl from Hanley who worked at Spode in day and was barmaid in evening , she made decent money Mom, perfect combo. Girlfriend/barmaid. Cheap drinks&seXx |
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Post by telfordstoke on Apr 4, 2019 20:25:55 GMT
Agreed, I used to see a girl from Hanley who worked at Spode in day and was barmaid in evening , she made decent money Mom, perfect combo. Girlfriend/barmaid. Cheap drinks&seXx Lol yeah wasn’t quite that idyllic but thinking on the right lines  . A bonus was she lived in one of the blocks of flats in Hanley and was high up so could get both Central TV for the midlands footy games AND the north west one (Granada?) so we had a choice of matches cos the signal was there for both. Lol easily pleased |
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Post by auntiegeorge on Apr 4, 2019 20:32:48 GMT
This is a tragedy. I know several people who work there. Dudson was still a family firm, being run by the 8th generation of the Dudson family. A leading and highly respected manufacturer of hotel wares, over 60% of their production went to export and they won many awards for this.
We all know about the avalanche of cheap and horrible china from the Far East, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Surely it was Dudson management's failure to plan, invest and innovate, and create products at competitive prices that people wanted to buy. That's what caused Spode to collapse ten years ago, but at the other end of the market.
I see the brand name and intellectual property have already been sold to Churchill (which makes a lot of its products in the Far East), so it sounds like Dudson management had already wrapped this up some time ago without letting on to their employees.
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Post by smallthorner on Apr 4, 2019 20:38:53 GMT
This is a tragedy. I know several people who work there. Dudson was still a family firm, being run by the 8th generation of the Dudson family. A leading and highly respected manufacturer of hotel wares, over 60% of their production went to export and they won many awards for this. We all know about the avalanche of cheap and horrible china from the Far East, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Surely it was Dudson management's failure to plan, invest and innovate, and create products at competitive prices that people wanted to buy. That's what caused Spode to collapse ten years ago, but at the other end of the market. I see the brand name and intellectual property have already been sold to Churchill (which makes a lot of its products in the Far East), so it sounds like Dudson management had already wrapped this up some time ago without letting on to their employees. Dudson had also sold their IP and material supplier (Furlong Mills) a week ago... |
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Post by bathstoke on Apr 5, 2019 5:57:40 GMT
This is a tragedy. I know several people who work there. Dudson was still a family firm, being run by the 8th generation of the Dudson family. A leading and highly respected manufacturer of hotel wares, over 60% of their production went to export and they won many awards for this. We all know about the avalanche of cheap and horrible china from the Far East, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Surely it was Dudson management's failure to plan, invest and innovate, and create products at competitive prices that people wanted to buy. That's what caused Spode to collapse ten years ago, but at the other end of the market. I see the brand name and intellectual property have already been sold to Churchill (which makes a lot of its products in the Far East), so it sounds like Dudson management had already wrapped this up some time ago without letting on to their employees. Yes, that exactly what the union said. No consultation nor nothing. Just came into work to be told it’s over |
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Apr 5, 2019 6:09:27 GMT
Heartbreaking for Stoke.
My daughter is at Uni & was asked by someone in Kingston, Ontario where she was from recently. She picked up on my daughters accent which flips from Canadian to English depending on who she last spoke to.
She replied “Stoke”. The lady replied “the potteries?”.
Once we were famous. What a shame we devalued our own name by sending the industry overseas for cheap labour.
North America used to know our city for quality & we fucked it up.
The only brands over here that retain prestige are Moorcroft & Wedgwood and half of the latters stuff is made in China 😔
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 5, 2019 6:50:29 GMT
This is a tragedy. I know several people who work there. Dudson was still a family firm, being run by the 8th generation of the Dudson family. A leading and highly respected manufacturer of hotel wares, over 60% of their production went to export and they won many awards for this. We all know about the avalanche of cheap and horrible china from the Far East, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Surely it was Dudson management's failure to plan, invest and innovate, and create products at competitive prices that people wanted to buy. That's what caused Spode to collapse ten years ago, but at the other end of the market. I see the brand name and intellectual property have already been sold to Churchill (which makes a lot of its products in the Far East), so it sounds like Dudson management had already wrapped this up some time ago without letting on to their employees.Yes, that exactly what the union said. No consultation nor nothing. Just came into work to be told it’s overI feel so deeply sorry for the workforce - no doubt loyal, hardworking and talented pottery staff AS EVER, because that's how ALL pottery workers have ALWAYS been - it's been built into Stoke-on-Trent people's DNA for centuries - it's what gives us our spirit and strength of character and makes us the stalwarts we are. How truly dreadful for the workers, and what a terrible shock - they'll feel as though they've had their guts ripped out. It's just awful. It said on the TV news that there are some families whose members all work for Dudsons, so that now the whole family are suddenly out of work. I hope they'll all get some sort of help from somewhere. If it's true, to quote Auntie and Bathy, that the Dudson management had already wrapped this up some time ago without letting on to their employees, then all members of 'the Dudson management' responsible want bloody shooting - what a conniving, cruel, selfish bunch. It makes me feel as though I wish I'd got the Coates family's billions so I could buy the place and set all the workforce right back on again + get new management to run it. I know a lot of us will be thinking the same thing. Oh, it also said on the TV that the workforce will have to apply to the Government for redundancy payments - I don't know about that sort of thing - is that what usually happens? The workers must be shell-shocked enough, without having to worry about going through all that - I wonder how long it will be before they get paid anything? |
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 5, 2019 6:53:03 GMT
Heartbreaking for Stoke. My daughter is at Uni & was asked by someone in Kingston, Ontario where she was from recently. She picked up on my daughters accent which flips from Canadian to English depending on who she last spoke to. She replied “Stoke”. The lady replied “the potteries?”. Once we were famous. What a shame we devalued our own name by sending the industry overseas for cheap labour. North America used to know our city for quality & we fucked it up. The only brands over here that retain prestige are Moorcroft & Wedgwood and half of the latters stuff is made in China 😔 So did Japan. They particularly liked the 'hand made' element, eg. all the near-perfection of the hand-painted china patterns, no matter how intricate they were. The standard was phenomenally high and the pure talent and dedication of the painters and (mostly) paintresses were recognised and enormously admired. |
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Post by murphthesurf on Apr 5, 2019 7:04:03 GMT
It's just this second (8.00 am) been mentioned on the BBC Midlands news that the Dudson Pension Scheme might be in question......
What a bloody mess.
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Post by santy on Apr 5, 2019 7:24:58 GMT
It is a tragic happening, but most of all because its almost entirely down to those who guided the company who were incompetent. I read they made a profit back in 2017 which no doubt resulted in some complacency and an attitude of how they couldn't do more. Just having taken a look around online at what they're selling and how much (in terms of quantities) in a lot of cases things were only available to buy in quantities of 12, 24 or 36. What fucking madman needs 36 cups? Seems like they were targeting a very niche market and have paid the price for it. Foolish, because there's so many people who would no doubt love a bit of the higher end products, there's always a market for it in every category. But no one needs it in those quantities, and again shooting themselves in the foot all the retailers that do carry their stuff have restrictions like UK mainland only. That shit should be getting sent all around the world while Brexit has the pound so weak. I appreciate its fragile, but you can still find a way and price accordingly. British manufactured stuff sells for a right premium in New Zealand and Australia, here's all that's being sold in New Zealand for Dudson: www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchString=dudson&type=Search&searchType=all&user_region=100&user_district=0&generalSearch_keypresses=6&generalSearch_suggested=0&generalSearch_suggestedCategory=France tend to love this kind of stuff too, having a search for Dudson on one of the biggest French sites: www.cdiscount.com/search/10/dudson.html#_his_It's all wine called Dudon, there is nothing from Dudson on there. As another mentioned, Dudson is known at least on some level in Canada, so lets check Amazon Canada: www.amazon.ca/s?k=dudson&ref=nb_sb_noss_2Worst part is likely the idiots who didn't check to see how their retailers were pricing, quantifying and selling their products on have cost so many others their job. They'll flag up that 2017 profit as a huge reason for a job somewhere else, where they begin the process again. If you've got a good product, a good range (ie not relying on 3 or 4 lines only) and a bit of sense you shouldn't be able to get into that situation with the abundance of avenues in e-commerce. To ignore so many of them... is it just arrogance or stupidity? Spent a few years now working in e-commerce and honestly, I can't understand why a business would ignore such huge markets. It has to be either incompetence or ignorance. The people who got to make the decisions for the business clearly didn't do everything they could have, and that's the sad part. |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 5, 2019 7:34:21 GMT
Another 400 people to hit the gig economy, living hand to mouth, no certainty in their lives, unable to invest, unable to plan.
Tory Britain.
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Post by auntiegeorge on Apr 5, 2019 8:15:11 GMT
It is a tragic happening, but most of all because its almost entirely down to those who guided the company who were incompetent. I read they made a profit back in 2017 which no doubt resulted in some complacency and an attitude of how they couldn't do more. Just having taken a look around online at what they're selling and how much (in terms of quantities) in a lot of cases things were only available to buy in quantities of 12, 24 or 36. What fucking madman needs 36 cups? Seems like they were targeting a very niche market and have paid the price for it. Foolish, because there's so many people who would no doubt love a bit of the higher end products, there's always a market for it in every category. But no one needs it in those quantities, and again shooting themselves in the foot all the retailers that do carry their stuff have restrictions like UK mainland only. That shit should be getting sent all around the world while Brexit has the pound so weak. I appreciate its fragile, but you can still find a way and price accordingly. British manufactured stuff sells for a right premium in New Zealand and Australia, here's all that's being sold in New Zealand for Dudson: www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchString=dudson&type=Search&searchType=all&user_region=100&user_district=0&generalSearch_keypresses=6&generalSearch_suggested=0&generalSearch_suggestedCategory=France tend to love this kind of stuff too, having a search for Dudson on one of the biggest French sites: www.cdiscount.com/search/10/dudson.html#_his_It's all wine called Dudon, there is nothing from Dudson on there. As another mentioned, Dudson is known at least on some level in Canada, so lets check Amazon Canada: www.amazon.ca/s?k=dudson&ref=nb_sb_noss_2Worst part is likely the idiots who didn't check to see how their retailers were pricing, quantifying and selling their products on have cost so many others their job. They'll flag up that 2017 profit as a huge reason for a job somewhere else, where they begin the process again. If you've got a good product, a good range (ie not relying on 3 or 4 lines only) and a bit of sense you shouldn't be able to get into that situation with the abundance of avenues in e-commerce. To ignore so many of them... is it just arrogance or stupidity? Spent a few years now working in e-commerce and honestly, I can't understand why a business would ignore such huge markets. It has to be either incompetence or ignorance. The people who got to make the decisions for the business clearly didn't do everything they could have, and that's the sad part. Thing is santy, Dudson's business model like that of Steelite was to bulk supply the hotel, hospitality and catering markets. That's why they sold items in large quantities. You could (and still can for now) obtain individual pieces from their factory outlet in Nile Street. But I agree it makes no sense to ignore the retail consumer and have all your eggs in one basket. Tragic. |
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Post by Gods on Apr 5, 2019 8:28:04 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees Awful news. Were Potteries firms really still thriving in the 80's ? I thought the decline was almost complete by then. |
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Apr 5, 2019 15:41:10 GMT
Heartbreaking for Stoke. My daughter is at Uni & was asked by someone in Kingston, Ontario where she was from recently. She picked up on my daughters accent which flips from Canadian to English depending on who she last spoke to. She replied “Stoke”. The lady replied “the potteries?”. Once we were famous. What a shame we devalued our own name by sending the industry overseas for cheap labour. North America used to know our city for quality & we fucked it up. The only brands over here that retain prestige are Moorcroft & Wedgwood and half of the latters stuff is made in China 😔 So did Japan. They particularly liked the 'hand made' element, eg. all the near-perfection of the hand-painted china patterns, no matter how intricate they were. The standard was phenomenally high and the pure talent and dedication of the painters and (mostly) paintresses were recognised and enormously admired. My nan painted the hand made flowers on the Aynsley flower bowls at the factory in Normacot. In the 70's I remember picking her up from work with my granddad and listening to her complain about the pakis and the fact that they had no apprentices to train. The factory of course is now a mosque and I think the company is toast. Before anyone jumps on the racist bandwagon, I'm merely stating fact, no racism implied. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by mattador78 on Apr 5, 2019 17:38:14 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees Awful news. Were Potteries firms really still thriving in the 80's ? I thought the decline was almost complete by then. They were solid in the eighties, early 90’s was the decline. I remember apprenticeships starting with kids from my school then 18 months later it was all binned |
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Post by Roland the Thompson Gunner on Apr 6, 2019 13:06:47 GMT
My very first job was a summer job in 1969 at Grindleys in Tunstall, who were later taken over by Dudson. It's indicative of some lack of design investment at Dudson that the last time I checked a cup in a cafe and found a Dudson mark, it was the same shape as the ones I saw thousands of at Grindleys maybe 50 years ago.
Another point; in the restaurant in Trentham Gardens garden centre, the crockery comes from Australia! I feel like going all Greek on it whenever I see it.
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Post by franklin66 on Apr 6, 2019 16:57:36 GMT
It's unfortunate but life, the pots having always been vulnerable to foreign competition. It's very Labour intensive and whatever you say Labour is way cheaper abroad.
You can compete to a degree with marquee brands but sooner or later the cheap knock offs catch up.
I went to Emma Bridgewater to buy a teapot for friends in Germany at it cost me £90 nowt special and I should know I've made thousands on Doulton's. It cost another £40 For a tea cup and saucer.
I wanted a local brand to show off over there but come on really!! We just can not compete I'm afraid.
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Post by felonious on Apr 6, 2019 17:53:44 GMT
It's unfortunate but life, the pots having always been vulnerable to foreign competition. It's very Labour intensive and whatever you say Labour is way cheaper abroad. You can compete to a degree with marquee brands but sooner or later the cheap knock offs catch up. I went to Emma Bridgewater to buy a teapot for friends in Germany at it cost me £90 nowt special and I should know I've made thousands on Doulton's. It cost another £40 For a tea cup and saucer. I wanted a local brand to show off over there but come on really!! We just can not compete I'm afraid. This is what you need, I believe it's on sale down in Trentham Gardens.
www.moorlandpottery.co.uk/moorland-pottery-ranges/stokie-oatcake-gin/
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Post by franklin66 on Apr 6, 2019 18:01:11 GMT
It's unfortunate but life, the pots having always been vulnerable to foreign competition. It's very Labour intensive and whatever you say Labour is way cheaper abroad. You can compete to a degree with marquee brands but sooner or later the cheap knock offs catch up. I went to Emma Bridgewater to buy a teapot for friends in Germany at it cost me £90 nowt special and I should know I've made thousands on Doulton's. It cost another £40 For a tea cup and saucer. I wanted a local brand to show off over there but come on really!! We just can not compete I'm afraid. This is what you need, I believe it's on sale down in Trentham Gardens.
www.moorlandpottery.co.uk/moorland-pottery-ranges/stokie-oatcake-gin/
Seen it mate I've tried numerous gins over the last year, some corkers out there. |
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Post by bathstoke on Apr 7, 2019 8:33:25 GMT
Terrible news, when I live there in the 80s the pottery firms were thriving, very sad for the company and employees Awful news. Were Potteries firms really still thriving in the 80's ? I thought the decline was almost complete by then. There was a massive Doultons factory in the 80’s, where Sainsbury’s is in Stoke. For those of you that remember him, Miffer used to’work’there. It’s like another world |
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Post by franklin66 on Apr 7, 2019 8:47:40 GMT
Awful news. Were Potteries firms really still thriving in the 80's ? I thought the decline was almost complete by then. There was a massive Doultons factory in the 80’s, where Sainsbury’s is in Stoke. For those of you that remember him, Miffer used to’work’there. It’s like another world Mintons my lady worked there for a short time. |
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Post by franklin66 on Apr 7, 2019 8:52:46 GMT
Awful news. Were Potteries firms really still thriving in the 80's ? I thought the decline was almost complete by then. There was a massive Doultons factory in the 80’s, where Sainsbury’s is in Stoke. For those of you that remember him, Miffer used to’work’there. It’s like another world Remember H&R Johnsons Richards tiles top of Dividy. I worked on Nile St, Churchbank in tunstall, they when they went bump i did a stint on Wedgwood bottom of Anchor Road. |
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Post by 3putts on Apr 7, 2019 11:18:03 GMT
sad news I know people directly involved and from what I have heard there have been some mind numbing decisions made over the years that has ultimately led to its collapse.now is not the time for recriminations many people have just been slung on the scrapheap.i also think the government are to blame because years and years of austerity and dithering has left people tightening their belts. this is what happens when people stop spending.
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Post by bathstoke on May 11, 2019 18:17:20 GMT
I went on an art trail round west Bath today(Weston)made famous by Jane Austin who used to walk out there to visit the villas & church)) I visited a house & an old boy(90ish) had his own hand thrown pottery on show. Was telling me all about his glaze & slips. He had Stoke clay in a bin.
I told him I am from Stoke & he got V exited & started talking about Dudson’s. He really meant it.
MrsBath bought a couple of his pieces🏺
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. A bonus was she lived in one of the blocks of flats in Hanley and was high up so could get both Central TV for the midlands footy games AND the north west one (Granada?) so we had a choice of matches cos the signal was there for both. Lol easily pleased 
