Dartington Crystal
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| Dartington Crystal Ltd | |
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| Type | Limited Company |
| Founded | Dartington Hall Trust |
| Headquarters | Torrington, England |
| Website | http://www.dartington.co.uk |
Based in Torrington in north Devon, England, Dartington Crystal manufactures crystal glassware using traditional Swedish glass blowing techniques.
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[edit] History
The company was founded by the Dartington Hall Trust, a charity which aims to assist the economic regeneration of rural areas through business, education and the arts.
In the early sixties the trust had become concerned that north Devon was becoming depopulated as a lack of job opportunities forced people to move elsewhere to find work. The glass-making factory was intended to be a solution this problem, conceived as a centre of employment giving local people a reason to stay in the area.
To achieve this vision the trust recruited Eskil Vilhemson, a Swedish glass manufacturer, to be the company's Managing Director. A team of Scandinavian glass blowers came with him to Torrington, some of whom are still there to this day, and the factory opened in June 1967 under the name of Dartington Glass.
The company thrived from here growing into a worldwide brand recognised for its quality and design led manufacturing. Frank Thrower, the company's designer created some of the most important glassware designs of the 20th century, many of which are still produced by the company to this day (Sharon, Exmoor and Dimple date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s).
Demand outstripped production in the 1970s and the factory had to be expanded. By the 1980s the modern image of Dartington had attracted the attention of Wedgwood who took up a large stake in the business, allowing for further expansion.
Sadly, in 1987, Frank Thrower MBE died of cancer, but the business still boomed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The business underwent a management buyout in 1994 from Rockware. But the business was taken over by US giftware giant Enesco in 2004.
Dartington Crystal underwent another Management Buy Out in April 2006, safeguarding many skilled jobs in the area. Dartington Crystal brought Scottish-based Caithness Glass in October 2006 and also owns Royal Brierley Crystal which is based in the West Midlands.
Today Dartington Crystal is the major employer in Torrington and very important to North Devon, Dartington Crystal is still produced in Torrington meaning the factory is the only working hand-made tableware producing crystal factory left in the UK. It is also a major tourist attraction for the area, over 250,000 people visit the site each year.
Dartington Crystal celebrated its 40th Birthday in June 2007.
[edit] Products
The company make a variety of crystal glassware, personalised and corporate gifts and special commissions including an FA cup replica used in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Sunderland's FA Cup triumph over Leeds United[1].
[edit] References
- ^ Trip down memory lane pays tribute to cup final heroes. The Northern Echo (2003-05-03).
[edit] External links
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