The Waterford Crystal factory has been closed.

[hedgehog]

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/01/30/waterford_crystal_closed_amid_crippling_debts/

Waterford Crystal had a special place in the hearts of many Irish Americans. Glass making was an Irish industry destroyed by British law designed to protect English industry and turn Ireland into a colony. Being able to buy beautiful Irish crystal was a way of telling the world that we had arrived and were no longer poor peasants but a people to be reckoned with.


On edit - I bought my Waterford a piece or two at a time back in the 70's. I found an old receipt - I paid about $6 to $10 for each goblet or cordial.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. damn.

sucks.

[liberal N proud]

2. World Wide Depression

That is what we are seeing form here.

[Historic NY]

3. Well at least the time Square Ball was completed, before they shut down.

[TZ]

4. Thats sad.

I think there are a lot of people who have at least a piece or two of their crystal..:(

[libnnc]

6. I used to unbox the stuff everyday

in my old job

I'm thinking my old company sees a HUGE buying opportunity right now. Kinda glad I'm not there anymore to have to inventory the truckloads of discontinued merchandise.

[n2doc]

5. Another Biz destroyed by debt

If they had to borrow to keep afloat during the good times, then this was inevitable. I'd be interested to know if their debt was incurred by a takeover or other asset mining operation. If that is the case, then the workers have a right to be pisses-and to march on the former owners castles.

[crimsonblue]

17. They didn't acquire debt in good times because they had too

they did it because using debt is profitable. Taking on debt allows companies to expand operations, increase manpower, and offer a wider range of goods. But, if stability isn't maintained, then when the inevitable recession comes along, it's trouble.

[n2doc]

23. Perhaps the lesson os that debt has its risks

If they had remained debt free, or essentially debt free, they could be weathering the crisis and emerge stronger than ever. Apple comes to mind.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. How sad.

[Mrs. Overall]

8. Very sad news.

[Bake]

9. Hopefully, some private equity co. or other investor will buy it

and keep the name, and the fine crystal, going.

Bake

[TBF]

12. They're trying - but first they want to get out of paying pensions and so forth -

here is where you can monitor the Waterford news: http://www.waterford-today.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5276&Itemid=1&ed=527

[blogslut]

10. Wedgewood China too

They were part of the same company. As well, Royal Doulton.

[1776Forever]

11. Wow - I didn't know that - Royal Doulton and Wedgewood - I hope Fenton glass can hang on!

We are visiting Fenton next week in WV. I love their glass - hope they can hang on!

They are also on QVC channel every now and then.

[malaise]

18. Looks like the Chinese have taken their

hahahahaha China.

I own two beautiful Royal Doulton teacups and saucers and a few Waterford Crystal pieces. My mother collected all of these pieces and shared them out to all of us years before she died.

Hubby and I used to drink ganja tea from them way back when just to be totally irreverent - while listening to Peter Tosh's Buckingham Palace. We haven't used them for eons.

One of my sisters continued collecting them but they are perfectly useless since you really don't want them to break and they're so damn fragile. It has never once crossed my mind to buy any of that stuff. Sure they're lovely but they are not necessary.

I may give one of my nieces the two teacups as a wedding present later this year. Who knows - she may be able to send her kids to college as they may become valuable. They're already very old.

gr., add.

[Horse with no Name]

20. I'm guessing the days of Wedgewood being made strictly by master craftsman are over

and will be mass produced. Royal Doulton too.
Very very sad.

[malaise]

21. It is sad

I guess there will always be master craftsmen but the prices will be exorbitant.

[guruoo]

13. "The company in recent years has... shifted production overseas"

"The company in recent years has slashed operations in its traditional heartlands and shifted production overseas. Waterford-branded crystal increasingly comes from Eastern Europe, not Ireland, while Wedgwood china is crafted chiefly in Indonesia, not England."

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/01/30/waterford_crystal_closed_amid_crippling_debts

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. We have had our outsourcing, which I think is horrendous, but when you think

of the long histories of Wedgwood and Waterford, there is something obscene about their being produced in any other place but their own countries. I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't add to their downfall.

[hootinholler]

15. Damn! I still don't haethe thistle pattern decanter and glasses...

Nice whiskey decanter that I've coveted for a long time.

:cry:

-Hoot

[trthnd4jstc]

16. I am hugely sorry.

[MrPerson]

19. Fuck - back to giving toasters.

[Tesha]

22. You can always give Portmeirion...

http://www.portmeirionproducts.co.uk/shop/