Belleek Plans To Move Into Crystal

Porcelain tableware and giftware manufacturer Belleek China, based in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, is to move into the crystal market. The company is set to invest about £1.5M in the venture following "extensive market research". However, managing director John Maguire said manufacturing would be based in the Czech Republic. The move is aimed at further penetrating the UK wedding gift market which "is estimated to be worth over £300M annually", he said. "Traditionally, the name Belleek has been synonymous with china and while going forward the manufacture of china will remain to be our core business we see tremendous opportunities for further extending our Belleek Living brand with complementary product ranges."