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Royal Doulton is one of the world's leading manufacturers
of tableware and collectables. Its family brands include Royal
Albert, Beswick and Royal
Doulton itself.
The roots of the company stretch back over 200 years
to the beginning of the British china industry.
John Doulton and partner John Watts established a
pottery in Lambeth, south London in 1815. Developed by his son Henry
Doulton (later Sir Henry), it became Britain's leading manufacturer
of sanitary wares and other industrial ceramics as well as a major
producer of art pottery and of ornamental and commemorative pieces,
and tablewares.
In 1877, Doulton took over the Nile Street Burslem
factory of Pinder Bourne, where tablewares and art pottery were
produced alongside industrial ceramics. By 1882, this branch of
Doulton's operation was making bone china (porcelain containing
bone ash). The Lambeth Studio in London continued in existence until
1956.
Having taken over many of its rivals both in industrial
and decorative wares, the Royal Doulton Group is now the largest
manufacturer of ceramics in Britain. Today, Royal Doulton employs
around 6,000 people worldwide, and it's factories are among the
most modern and efficient in the industry.
Through his vision and entrepreneurial genius, Sir
Henry Doulton (1820-1897) laid the foundations for what is now a
modern, thriving, international company which distributes and sells
to 80 different countries. Royal Doulton today embraces innovative
technology, encourages individual artistry and is admired world-wide
for its achievements and leadership within the industry.
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