Devon-based glassmaker Dartington Crystal will begin 2019 with the management team having acquired the majority control of the business.
Since 2006, Dartington’s chairman and major shareholder, John Hammond MBE, has led the company to independent ownership and strengthened its performance to its current healthy trading levels.
The three directors – Neil Hughes (managing director), Richard Halliday (commercial direc-tor) and Alan Ramsay (finance director) – have been supported by Barclays Bank to take a major share of the business and continue its growth.
Managing director Neil Hughes comments: “We are grateful to John Hammond for his commitment and investment in Dartington Crystal over the last 12 years. We are delighted to be able to further his ambitions for the Company and for his belief in us as a management team.”
John Hammond adds: “Despite market challenges, Dartington Crystal and its employees are well-positioned to meet them and prosper. I am very proud in what we have achieved over the years and look forward to seeing progress continued.”
As the last factory scale producer of crystal in the UK, Dartington Crystal employs 130 staff at its Torrington headquarters in Devon, UK. The Company also owns the Scottish Caithness Glass brand, Royal Brierley cut crystal and John Beswick ceramics.
In recent years, the company has developed a diverse range of sales channels including high street retailers, wine and spirits, corporate gifts and bespoke own-label products. In 2017, the business celebrated 50 years of trading with record sales of circa GBP 14m.