BUSINESS NEWS
Inside the factories shaping the future of ceramics
From fine tableware and housebuilding materials to specialist components used in aerospace and defence, ceramics remains one of Staffordshire’ s most diverse and important industries. A government fact-finding mission has now explored how a new £ 120 million support package can work on the factory floor.
The announcement of £ 120 million in government support was a major moment for the UK ceramics industry. Turning that commitment into a scheme that works for manufacturers will be the next challenge.
In September, government officials visited four North Staffordshire ceramics businesses to see their operations first-hand and hear what the sector needs from the new Ceramics Industry Support Scheme.
The two-day fact-finding mission, hosted by Ceramics UK, included visits to Valentine Clays, Mantec Technical Ceramics, Steelite International and Ibstock.
Together, the manufacturers demonstrated the breadth of an industry encompassing household names and everyday products as well as highly specialised materials and components used across some of the economy’ s most advanced sectors.
The visit was also an opportunity for businesses to explain how the proposed funding could help protect employment, support innovation and place ceramics manufacturing on a more sustainable footing.
Hannah Ault, Managing Director of Fenton-based Valentine Clays and President of Staffordshire-based Ceramics UK, hosted a roundtable involving trade association members and government officials.
The discussion enabled manufacturers to share their views on the design of the support scheme and explain the practical challenges facing businesses operating in an energy-intensive industry.
Officials were also taken behind the scenes at the Mantec Technical Ceramics factory in Longton.
There, they were shown the company’ s Ultralite range of insulating ceramic materials, which has been designed to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions.
Further visits took place at Steelite International’ s Burslem factory and one of Ibstock’ s brick factories in Chesterton, highlighting applications ranging from hospitality and tableware to the materials needed for new homes.
For Ibstock, the visit provided an opportunity to connect the future of domestic ceramics manufacturing with the national drive to increase housing delivery.
Emily Landsborough, Head of Sustainability at Ibstock, said:“ As the UK looks to accelerate the delivery of new homes, it is vital that Government supports the role domestic manufacturers play in supporting housing delivery, skilled jobs and resilient supply chains.
“ The visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss both the challenges facing manufacturers with energy usage and the practical steps needed to ensure the Ceramics Industry Support Scheme is targeted and workable for the brick manufacturing sector.”
The diversity of the businesses involved was an important part of the message delivered during the visit.
While Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire remain synonymous with pottery, the modern ceramics industry reaches far beyond its traditional image. Its products serve markets including construction, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, defence and aerospace.
Ceramics UK CEO Rob Flello said:“ From tableware used in the finest hospitality environments around the world, to the clay bricks that are essential to the
construction of the UK’ s housing stock, and high technology components for sectors including defence, aerospace and pharmaceutical, the visitors were given a comprehensive overview of the scope and scale of the ceramics sector.
“ Seeing business operations first hand highlighted how diverse the industry is, how many jobs and livelihoods the sector supports, and how much pride and skill goes into ceramics manufacturing.
“ I am delighted that the civil servants were able to discuss detailed proposals and hear how they would and indeed wouldn’ t work in the real world. All in all it was a very valuable opportunity and I’ m optimistic the scheme will be much better as a result.
“ DBIST officials will now continue to engage with Ceramics UK and the sector as they develop the Ceramics Industry Support Scheme, to ensure that the policy is fit for purpose and secures the long-term competitiveness of the industry as an essential foundation industry of the UK economy.”
The £ 120 million package has provided the industry with an important opportunity. The discussions held in North Staffordshire were intended to help ensure that the eventual scheme reflects the realities facing businesses of different sizes and operating across very different markets.
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