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[August 2001]
Success in California for British Potteries
The first visit by the smaller ceramic manufacturers of North Staffordshire to a major overseas trade show has proved to be so successful that the organisers have rebooked the event for 2002. A total of 20 companies - 12 of them from the local Potteries area - participated under the Showcase banner in the California Gift Show in Los Angeles in July and around 200 enquiries were received for products displayed in the Showcase Britain stand.
"Interest was right across the board," said Clive Drinkwater, Head of International Trade for Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Business Link, "from the very traditional, Victorian styling through to very modern tableware shapes. Everyone who participated received some enquiries and it is very important to continue to have a presence in LA, so we have reserved space for January 2002."
"We look on the Showcase participation at such an international event as a development programme for the smaller manufacturers and the result is that some of the companies who exhibited under our umbrella this time may well take their own stands in 2002."
The majority of those taking part this July were ceramic and crystal companies from North Staffordshire and the West Midlands and they found themselves amongst a showing of international exhibitors from North America and other areas such as Slovenia and Malaysia. Visiting buyers came from all parts of the USA.
With staging of the event at around 50,000 but with exhibitors only having to pay 250 to display a variety of pieces, the participation in the show was funded by Stokeworks and Advantage West Midlands. The organisers - Ceramic Industry Forum, the Association for Ceramic Training & Development and Business Link - will be seeking additional funding for participation in 2002.
"We will shortly be putting proposals out to the ceramic manufacturers for the 2002 event," said Clive, "and will need to have everything confirmed by November this year to ensure an even more successful showing for the UK, and North Staffordshire ceramic industry in particular."
ENDS