Big rebrand on the way for one of Stoke-on-Trent's major pottery firms
It's part of a fresh commitment to its workforce of potters and to the city.
A pottery firm in Stoke-on-Trent is changing its name to Spode Group Plc.
Portmeirion Group, which owns brands including Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester, has said the change is expected to take effect during November.
In its latest results, published on 23rd September 2026, the company said it was making good progress on the name change.
Why Spode?
The company said the new name reflects Spode's international recognition and heritage, intellectual property considerations, and its manufacturing connection with Stoke-on-Trent.
"It's an important moment for the company, because it show's we're a company that's evolving" said Chief executive Michael Scheepers.
"If we look at just the UK itself but also abroad, to our largest single market the US, Spode really carries weight as a brand.
"Also further afield into Asia. Spode is well known and well recognised, as is Stoke-on-Trent.
"By changing the name we've made our commitment clear to onshore back into Stoke-on-Trent. Our factory is here."
Where the company does business
North America is the company's biggest market.
It brought in £13.9m in sales in the first six months of 2026, up from £12.6m a year earlier.
The UK is next, with £11.7m in sales, down from £13.4m.
South Korea accounted for £6m, down from £7.2m, while the rest of the world made up £4.8m, up from £3.9m.
The company describes the UK, US and South Korea as its core markets.
Sales in the US rose by 17%.
Spode sales grew by 22.5% overall, which the company put down to a strong recovery in the US and new products.
It also reported strong demand in the US for its Spode Christmas Tree collection ahead of the important seasonal trading period.
Sales of the Portmeirion brand fell, which the company blamed on weaker demand in the UK and South Korea.
South Korea sales dropped by 16.9% after the company tightened its credit controls with key partners.
Chief executive Michael Scheepers said: "We are seeing improved momentum in the UK in the second half, with active dialogue with several large retailers about new commercial opportunities," he said.
Sales in the company's wider international markets rose by 37.7%.
Sales in Malaysia grew by 11% after allowing for exchange rate changes.
The company entered Türkiye for the first time in the first half of the year and says it will enter two more new markets during 2026.
Revenue, the money it takes in from sales, was £36.4m in the first six months of 2026, down 1.9% from £37.1m a year earlier.
It made a loss before tax of £5m, compared with a loss of £2.9m for the same period last year.
The company's net debt, which is what it owes once its cash is taken into account, fell to £6.2m from £14.8m a year earlier.
Mr Scheepers, who was appointed chief executive on 11th May 2026, said the company's recovery would take time.
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