The Stoke-based Portmeirion Group today revealed an 11% drop in sales to £91.2m in 2024 and now wants to bring more of its manufacturing back to the city. 

The downturn in revenue has been attributed to a decline in sales in South Korea, inflation and supply chain issues. 

The company currently makes around 26% of its branded tableware in Stoke-on-Trent and it intends to increase manufacturing in the city over the next two years as part of a plan to restore growth.

The Portmeirion Group owns the Spode, Royal Worcester and Portmeirion brands among others. The manufacturer made redundancies at its Stoke-on-Trent factory in February due to "difficult market conditions" which followed previous redundancies in 2024.

The group's chairman, Peter Tracey, said: "Approximately 26% of our branded tableware products are made in our Stoke-on-Trent factory and we intend to increase this over the next 24 months. 

"This may have an initial impact on our gross margins due to the cost of manufacturing in the United Kingdom, but it is a necessary margin investment in our brands. 

"I am confident that we will recover the margin investment and reap substantial benefits over the medium term. 

"We will continue to work closely with our worldwide factory partners on certain products lines and collections as they have a specific expertise and consistently deliver high quality products."

The group's report revealed that Spode sales had grown as well as sales in its candle brand Wax Lyrical, which saw a 25% increase in 2024. 

Portmeirion Group insists 2025 has so far been positive for the manufacturer. 

Portmeirion Group chief executive Mike Raybould, said: "2024 was a disappointing year and our financial performance overshadowed good growth in our Spode brand and improved profitability in the US, our largest sales market.  

"Our customers reported strong sell through of our collections during the key Christmas period and Wax Lyrical, our home fragrance business also saw strong top and bottom line growth.  

"Action is being taken across our operations to position the business for sustainable future growth and we are moving forward with clear priorities to return our established markets to growth, strengthen our balance sheet, invest in our premium brands and develop new international markets. 

"Trading in 2025 has started positively and we are cautiously optimistic at this early point in the year, mindful of the headwinds many businesses are facing in this uncertain economic climate."

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