Cape Town beckons for Potteries talent

A SOUTH African ceramics company is hunting for a new production director – in Stoke-on-Trent.

Cape Town-based Continental China has taken out an advert in The Sentinel as well as in South Africa.

And industry leaders say that is tribute to the wealth of pottery experience and skills that are still in abundance in North Staffordshire.

The advert states that Continental China, which makes tableware for the catering and hospitality industry, is looking for someone with a degree in ceramics and/or engineering.

Experience in the ceramic industry, preferably in vitrified hotelware, is also wanted.

And applicants must be able to lead and manage a labour-intensive operation.

Key responsibilities will include controlling the production process, determining and driving new initiatives to improve cost recovery, yield, quality, efficiency and flexibility, and initiating and driving new product development.

Initial interviews for the job will take place in Staffordshire.

And, should someone from the Potteries be successful the firm would be responsible for all relocation expenses. Details of the position's salary have not been released.

But Sue Evans, chief executive of the Ceramic Industry Forum, pictured below, said the advert showed there is still a global recognition for Stoke-on-Trent the home of pottery.

She added: "It is still the hub for technological advances, manufacturing expertise and design talent. Quite clearly they are advertising in our area because they want to obtain the best staff, and I think that's flattering.

"Perhaps, despite some people's assumptions, it shows the Potteries is still seen as the centre of the ceramics world.

"It's a free marketplace – and we've known for a long time that we're competing on a global scale – so I think it is a distinct compliment to the skills we have in this area that a South African firm is advertising here."

Jonathan Plant, director of Burslem's Moorland Pottery, said: "All the companies that have set up abroad – all their skills and knowledge have come from Stoke-on-Trent.

"It shows how good we are that Continental China is recruiting here. There's enormous knowledge and know-how in the city.

"In my opinion we should be getting more help to maintain this industry here then we wouldn't be losing people to companies abroad."

Dr Laura Cohen, chief executive of the British Ceramics Confederation, added: "It is clear that there is much design talent in Stoke-on-Trent."

In October the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership declared Stoke-on-Trent the World Capital of Ceramics during the British Ceramics Biennial.

Despite a well-documented decline in recent years, North Staffordshire is still home to more than 350 ceramic businesses, employing around 7,000 people.

That equates to 32 per cent of all UK ceramics employers and 60 per cent of employees.

The closing date for applications for the Continental China job is March 24. The company declined to comment at this stage.