Crystal dream sparks into life

WATERFORD CRYSTAL is being manufactured and showcased in the southeastern capital once again following the opening of a new facility in the city yesterday.

Production of the world-famous brand in its home city ceased last year when Waterford Wedgwood went into receivership and the furnace was switched off at its manufacturing plant in Kilbarry, on the outskirts of the city.

The company’s businesses were sold to a New York investment group and production was moved to Germany and eastern Europe.

Yesterday, as a result of an agreement between Waterford City Council and the new owners of the crystal brand, luxury goods group WWRD, a new manufacturing facility and visitor centre was officially opened.

About two tonnes of molten crystal will be produced every day at the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall, with master blowers creating about 40,000 hand-crafted high-end pieces annually.

Tourists can observe the craftsmen at work and watch all aspects of production, from furnace work to engraving.

The centre, housed in former ESB offices and adjoining garages, will employ 79 full-time and 33 part-time staff, with up to 40 temporary staff during peak season.

The official opening yesterday was attended by an array of local and national business and civic leaders, media representatives and members of the public

Designers John Rocha and Michael Aram mingled with the crowds for what was described as an emotional occasion.

A beaming Mr Rocha said: “This is a new beginning, not only for Waterford but also for the country . . . it says, ‘we are here; we’re back, we’ll grow stronger and stronger’.”

Waterford City Council has provided funding in excess of €8 million for the project.

“You can all be proud today of your contribution to a great result for Waterford,” said chief executive of WWRD, Pierre de Villemejane. “We are extremely proud of the House of Waterford Crystal, and its commitment to quality, heritage and cutting-edge design represents everything that this brand stands for,” he said.

Last year it seemed as though links between the brand name and the city itself would sever forever, as workers engaged in a seven-week sit-in at the enterprise’s showrooms at Kilbarry.

Nearly 500 workers in the city had lost their jobs as a result of the plant’s closure, and a local tradition going back to the 1700s appeared to have come to an end.

Worse still was the fact that workers with over 20, 30, even 40 years’ service lost their pensions.

An audacious plan, the brainchild of local businessman, the late Nicky Fewer and others including the workers themselves, was adopted, saving up to 176 of the jobs at the time. This was adopted by the workers and the brand was sold to US investment firm KPS, the eventual owner of WWRD.

One former worker said yesterday that while he wished the new venture “every success”, it was “important not to forget that the name was built on the backs of the workers”.

Jimmy Kelly, Irish regional secretary with Unite, yesterday said the word “opening” was good to hear but there was also “outstanding business which we need to remember”.

Mr Kelly said there was a need for the Government to “sort out the pension problem”; and there was also a need to help ensure the production of stemware took place at the new facility,“to give us the high volume of jobs”. – (Additional reporting – PA)