Waterford Crystal workers to meet on efforts to save plant

WATERFORD CRYSTAL workers are set to meet at the weekend to hear what progress is being made in efforts to keep manufacturing at its plant in the city.

Trade union Unite, the Government and various interested parties, including Waterford-based architect Nicky Fewer, are exploring proposals aimed at restarting manufacturing at the Kilbarry plant.

Union officials intend briefing workers on Sunday evening about the efforts to save manufacturing and around 480 jobs there.

It is eight weeks today since workers began a sit-in at the plant’s visitors’ centre, sparked by the receiver’s decision to shut down manufacturing there after he ran out of cash.

The receiver, David Carson of Deloitte, has since agreed to sell most of the assets of the company’s parent, Waterford Wedgwood, to US investment firm KPS.

The deal does not include the Waterford manufacturing plant, although it does include the Waterford Crystal brand and intellectual property.

It is understood that KPS has signalled it is willing to buy crystal manufactured in Waterford under licence, once the product can match prices offered in continental Europe.

The US firm has bought other elements of the business and will keep on sales and back office staff, as well as those working in the visitors’ centre, which is a key tourist attraction in the region.

Its longer-term plans include expanding the centre. This will result in the rescue of up to 250 jobs in Waterford.

Waterford Wedgwood’s banks placed it in receivership in January after it failed to meet repayments due on some of its loans.