Investment in Duchess China has been welcomed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's leader as a vote of confidence in the city's manufacturing skills.
Councillor Jane Ashworth said the backing supported the future of a business that has made fine bone china in Stoke-on-Trent for more than 130 years.
In a statement issued on 6 October, she said the commitment to local production recognised the skills of the people who work at the company, with plans to reach more customers in Britain and overseas.
Backing local people and ceramics skills
Ashworth said the investment mattered not only to Duchess China but also to the wider Stoke-on-Trent economy.
“Supporting the company’s growth means investing in local people and skills, with benefits for the wider Stoke-on-Trent economy.”
She also highlighted the continuing pressures facing ceramics manufacturers, particularly energy costs and international competition, and said the sector deserved continued support.
The council's statement did not set out the identity of the investor or a timetable for the company's growth plans.
Longton manufacturer's recent JCB order
The investment news follows a separate announcement last month that JCB had placed an order for around 1,300 Duchess China pieces for use across its international operations.
JCB's announcement, dated 17 September, identified the manufacturer as based on Uttoxeter Road in Longton. The order covered cups, saucers, plates, teapots and coffee pots for sites including Rocester, North America and Brazil, as well as dealerships.
JCB described it as its largest order in a relationship stretching back more than 25 years. That order and the latest investment are separate developments.
Read our earlier report: JCB's global order for Duchess China.
Sources: a statement supplied by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 6 October 2026 and JCB's September announcement.