Ceramics firms Portmeirion and Churchill China report strong start to 2014

SALES at two of the city's biggest ceramics companies are on the up.

Portmeirion and Churchill China have both given early indications of a strong performance in the first quarter of the year.

Stoke-based Portmeirion, which reported a pre-tax profit of £7 million last year, said sales in 2014 are running ahead of the past 12 months.

Chairman Dick Steele said: "The year has started well. Our sales for the four months to the end of April were over three per cent above the corresponding period last year and our performance is in line with market expectations."

Sandyford tableware manufacturer Churchill saw group revenue increase by four per cent to £43.2 million in 2013.

Alan McWalter, chairman, said: "I am happy to report that the group's operating performance since our preliminary results announcement on March 27 has remained encouraging."

Source: Stokesentinel