Waterford Crystal facility unveiled

The company that owns the Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands is to open a new Waterford Crystal manufacturing facility, retail outlet and visitor centre in the city.

WWRD Group Holdings said up to 90 full-time staff would be employed at the Waterford Crystal Prestige Manufacturing Facility, and a further 30-40 temporary staff according to seasonal demand.

Up to 800 people worked for Waterford Wedgwood when the company was placed into receivership last year.

The facility is scheduled to open in June and will be based in the former ESB regional office at the Mall.

"WWRD is thrilled to be a part of the long and distinguished history of crystal manufacturing in Waterford," chief executive Pierre de Villeméjane said.

"The incomparable and iconic brand of Waterford Crystal continues to be coveted the world over and it is vital that its heritage of craftsmanship and design remain firmly rooted in Waterford. We are therefore committed to working with Waterford City Council to ensure that crystal manufacturing in Waterford continues uninterrupted from now onwards. We sincerely hope that this will prove to be a crucial step on the road to recovery for the city and the region."

Waterford Wedgewood was placed in receivership last year after it failed to make loan repayments on time. Production at Waterford Crystal's  Kilbarry headquarters shut down shortly after with the loss of 480 jobs. Workers staged a seven-week sit-in at the visitor centre until a package was agreed that would save 176 of the jobs.

The Waterford Crystal Centre at Kilbarry closed its doors last week, ahead of a scheduled February 5th closure. Fifteen remaining jobs will be lost there as a result of the closure.