Waterford

Waterford is part of the newly formed Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton Holdings Ltd. In Mar 2009 this new company was formed headed by CEO Pierre de Villeméjane. This company ‘Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton Holdings Ltd has secured Waterford’s future. With a combined history of over 600 years of heritage, tradition and craftsmanship, WWRD Holdings Limited is among the world's leading luxury lifestyle group with world-class brands that include Waterford, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Minton and Johnson Brothers.

The product portfolios of WWRD Holdings prestige brands complement each other perfectly as they are the finest collection of quintessential English brands.

Waterford Crystal designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of crystal stemware, barware and giftware for distribution throughout the world. In recent years Waterford has built upon its reputation as a leading source of prestigious tabletop and gift products with designs from designers whose names have become highly regarded. The Company maintains unique licensing arrangements with some of the most high profile innovators in the home and lifestyle market, including Vera Wang, Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Monique Lhuiller, Barbara Barry, Gordon Ramsay, Martha Stewart, and Michael Aram. With its distinguished members, the Company is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of today's consumers and to expand its position in the luxury lifestyle market as these new ranges offer prestigious products for gift giving, entertaining, and home decorating.

History

The company of Waterford was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants' Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford. Its founders were two brothers, William and George Penrose, who were important developers and principal exporters in the city. Their vision was to "create the finest quality crystal for drinking vessels and objects of beauty for the home." More than two hundred years later, the reputation they established for creating glass of unsurpassed beauty and quality has transcended the intervening centuries.

In 2007 Waterford merged with Wedgwood to became part of the Waterford Wedgwood Group and then in March 2009 the formation of the new company ‘Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton Holdings Ltd that will continue to rebuild the famous Waterford brand.

With corporate headquarters in London, England, WWRD Holdings' products are distributed around the world including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia and Ireland. WWRD Holdings has over 3,700 employees worldwide, and offers its customers one of the world's most extensive product ranges in the market.