Owner of Waterford Crystal to Open New Crystal Factory

January 28, 2010 – WWRD, the owner of Waterford Crystal, has announced plans to open a new high-end crystal manufacturing facility in Waterford.

The project is part of a joint venture between the company and the city council, involving an investment of up to EUR 25 million (£21.7 million). WWRD anticipates that the operation will generate sales of about EUR 14 million a year once the flagship factory and visitor centre opens later this year.

Last year, Waterford Crystal’s parent company Waterford Wedgwood went into receivership resulting in over 700 people losing their jobs at Waterford Crystal’s original plant at Kilbarry. WWRD bought the Waterford brand and intellectual property but not the company’s manufacturing plant so it plans to open completely new manufacturing facilities. The new factory, which will take over the former EBS offices at The Mall in Waterford city, will employ up to 90 staff as well as around 40 temporary workers.

WWRD, which is owned by US investment fund KPS, provides luxury homes and lifestyle products that are distributed through department stores and independent retailers and wholesalers.

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