Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
5 January 2009
17:0312140#1
Administrators are battling to find a buyer for historic crystal and china maker Waterford Wedgwood after the collapse of the ailing firm put 2,700 jobs at risk 1700 of which are based in Stoke.
The group - best known for Wedgwood pottery, Royal Doulton and Waterford crystal - has appointed receivers to parts of its Irish business and administrators at its UK arm.
Waterford can trace its origins back 250 years, collapsed after talks over a possible sale to a US private equity firm failed to bear fruit and lenders' patience ran out.
Is this the thin end of the wedge for historic quality firms which can no longer compete with the mass produced rubbish exported by China and the Far East?
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
5 January 2009
17:3012142#2
It was reported in todays papers that exports from China have dropped for the third month in a row. Their growth, previously in double figures, has dropped to 9% and looks to continue dropping. It really is a global recession lets just hope the solution does not lie in the route taken in the 1910's and 1940's.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
5 January 2009
18:3412150#3
It will indeed be tragedy if the quality of Waterford Crystal and Wedgewood pottery are lost forever.
Roger
5 January 2009
18:5112152#4
Beautiful Waterford Crystal - surely we can't lose it?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
5 January 2009
19:4612164#5
It would be a sad loss of traditional British brands.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
5 January 2009
20:0412167#6
I know this Wedgwood outlet in Stoke very well some of my family live near there and Lesley and myself have round it seen the potters at work there it will be very sad to see it all closed up next time we are there.
Vic matcham
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
5 January 2009
21:0812177#7
That's capitalism for you, tradition stands no chance!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
6 January 2009
07:4712200#8
Rubbish DT1 - I can't believe you said that.
Capitalism is what drives the Western World. Communism/Disctatorships only works for the ruling people.
Roger
6 January 2009
08:5512208#9
And Dogma kills.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
6 January 2009
09:4312214#10
I didn't say it, Max Weber did in his defense of Capitalism.
It goes without saying (and by the way I don't think absolute communism is the way either) Capitalism is basis for wonderful things like social mobility and social change, and 'change' is the opposite of 'tradition'
Sorry that this concept throws a spanner in the works of Daily Mail readers (and many Conservatives) but you cant rant on about self-determination at the same time as supporting the royal family; or love traditional village communities and yet support the closure of post offices; or want health care for all and yet think the system should not run at a loss(so get in the private sector to turn a profit); or want traditional craft kept alive at the same time as promoting outsourcing to China!
I know this is political but you can't have your capitalist cake and eat it!
Wedgewood is in the position due to 'change' and people 'voting with their feet' (wetherspoons vs the local etc)
I think the complete loss of wedgewood or waterford crystal would be awful, but that's change, William Morris saw this coming a century ago!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
6 January 2009
10:0712215#11
I see no contradiction DT. Conservatism is about protecting the best of the past and valuing our traditions as much as it is about free enterprise.
Wedgewood is an old traditional brand and its loss would be sad but if times change and it cannot change with it as a commercial enterprise then the inevitable happens. The brand may still survive but owned by another group, even after the demise the the present company. I doubt that the asset which is the name will disappear.
You cannot just prop up those businesses that have 'had their day, if you did there would still be a blacksmith in every town waitng to shoe your horse.
It is yet to be proven that Wedgewood has 'had its day', it may have had weaknesses in its business structure and might be saved in new hands.
It is the nature of the free enterprise system that business will fail and in doing so make room for new businesses to emerge. That is healthy and, indeed, desirable for an economy to advance. What is important is for people to be free to take risks and to get the rewards for that risk and to not be hampered by red tape and excessive taxation.
Unregistered User
6 January 2009
15:2812223#12
I know lots & lots of products , inventions etc. that were developed & nutured by enterpreneurs, sustained by capitalist investment & ideals. I know of many when they are taken over by governments they tend to stagnate, lack development & become true taxation liabilities.
When does an idea/product become a public ownership imperative rather than a private intellectual asset.
Discuss!!
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
6 January 2009
21:2312237#13
some long words there mein fuhrer.
have you been borrowing bern;s guardian again?
6 January 2009
22:0112243#14
I've been looking for that all day...........
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
6 January 2009
22:3812250#15
you may find it under that bowl of muesli, i may be mistaken though.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
7 January 2009
08:0112256#16
I would guess, when that private intellectual asset is found to be of national importance but can't (for financial reasons) continue on its own. But who judges it as national importance ?
We must be careful with our (national) assets, but we must also be prudent with our (the public's) money.
Roger