Pictured above: Steelite International's innovative
Freestyle tableware range
The UK's biggest tableware manufacturer Steelite International
has posted outstanding results for 2010 and paid tribute to its
excellent workforce for their commitment and world-leading
skills.
The Middleport-based company which employs 650 people in the UK
has recorded its highest ever annual sales at £60.6 (up from
£51.9m) and predicted a bright future with a top-class new
management team in place.
Production at its state-of-the-art factory in Stoke-on-Trent
increased by 24 per cent in 2010, to meet growing UK and worldwide
demand for the innovative and high-class tableware. It currently
produces up to half a million piece of tableware per
week.
Chief executive Kevin Oakes said: "This is a truly vintage
performance in the face of adversity. While many of our competitors
have found trading conditions tough, we have prospered to achieve
the second highest profit level in our history - despite the global
economic challenges.
"This is testament to excellent teamwork - from the new
management team right through to the dedicated and skilled people
on our shopfloor. People remain our most important asset and our
number one priority, so we will continue to recruit, train, develop
and empower our excellent local workforce with our sights firmly
set on worldwide growth.
"These results are great news for the Potteries. We
employed an additional 90 people last year and if our forecasts are
right we anticipate more jobs on the cards.
"The quality of our tableware is still recognised worldwide and
demand is certainly growing. We already have a strong
presence in 130 countries but we are committed to further
strengthening the Steelite International brand around the world,
with particular emphasis upon the developing markets in India,
China, Russia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa.
"We will continue to invest in inspirational design, excellent
quality and outstanding service whilst minimising our environmental
impact. By remaining true to these values we will continue to
prosper as global market conditions improve, ensuring we are the
best-placed amongst our competitors to take full advantage of new
opportunities."
The world-renowned company - whose prestigious clients include
Hilton Hotels and Whitbread as well as top name chefs and
international cruise lines - showed that UK manufacturing is firmly
back in business with a pre-tax profit of £7.9million (up
from £5.4million).
Sales to the 130 countries where Steelite International operates
were up 17 per cent and there were outstanding international sales
performances in several countries including the United States.
The importance of the US market was also reinforced this year by
the opening of the company's first dedicated showroom which opened
in New York City.
Meanwhile, the Russian market expanded rapidly, emphasising the
emerging potential of the tourism and hospitality market in this
and other former Eastern Bloc nations.
Steelite International's commitment to outstanding quality and
service also took centre stage in 2010 with the launch of its Made
for Life campaign - a fightback against inferior foreign imports
which showed the strength of their tableware and the strength of
feeling for the world-renowned brand.
Steelite International Chairman Alistair Arkley said: "These are
an outstanding set of results which show that Made in England and
Made for Life still count as a true mark of quality. We have
strived to reach out to new markets through the recession and
emerge stronger than ever.
"The tough economic times of the past couple of years have made
us take a good look at our business and strengthen it to ensure we
continue to thrive - through strategic marketing and continuous
investment in our plant, people and products."