Exhibitors at ceramics industry showcase, Ceramics 2013, are to be offered expert advice on how good design can help businesses to succeed. 

Ceramics 2013 organisers have linked-up with the Design Council to offer one-on-one design consultations at the event in Stoke-on-Trent on 26 September. 

The annual showcase has a British design theme for 2013 and will include a keynote speech by well known designer and entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway. 

Celia Jarvis of the Design Council said: “We are delighted that Ceramics 2013 has chosen a design theme and we are working with the event organisers to promote design led innovation in the industry.” 

The Design Council’s Leadership Team will be offering free one-to-one advice for exhibitors on how design can help businesses increase profits, access new markets and achieve their goals. 

“To arrange a 15 minute session with our highly experienced Design Associate, please contact [email protected]. 

“The Design Council’s Design Leadership programme helps SMEs achieve their goals through harnessing the power of design. We have helped more than 700 organisations throughout the UK increase turnover, improve profit, grow sales, expand into new markets and achieve their goals-all through our intensive coaching scheme. 

“The Design Council has experience of working alongside a number of leading names in the ceramics industry including Johnson Tiles, Portmeirion Pottery and Aga, to help them improve performance, production and profit through design-led thinking.” 

Ceramics 2013 is organised by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the British Ceramic Confederation, North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Dudson, Endeka Ceramics, Ceram, Emma Bridgewater, Wade, Valentine Clays and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the event is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and industry sponsorship. 

The event brings together large manufacturers, small design makers and the industry’s supply chain at a one day event featuring workshops, demonstrations and discussions. 

This year’s event will be held at the impressive new CoRE conference centre, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent which has been built in the shell of an old pottery factory and features four of the few remaining iconic pot bank bottle ovens. 

To enquire about exhibition space, please contact Ann Steele on 01782 202222 or email [email protected] 

ENDS 

For media enquiries contact Nigel Howle by telephone on 07762043436 or email, [email protected] 

Notes to Editors: 

From designer makers to large manufacturers, the British ceramics industry is renowned the world over.  Ceramics 2013 is a major industry event bringing together ceramics companies and their suppliers to both celebrate and market the industry and showcase its future as a design-led, iconic British success story. 

UK Ceramic Industry Key Facts 

*        The ceramics industry has sales, including supply chain, of £2 billion with more than 20,000 people are employed in the industry and its suppliers

*        Total export sales value more than £500 million. 

*        The sector includes bricks, wall and floor tiles, clay roof tiles, tableware, sanitaryware, technical ceramics, refractories and materials suppliers