Waterford Wedgwood Growth In Crystal Sales In 1999

Waterford Wedgwood said sales of Wedgwood and Rosenthal china and Waterford crystal had grown nearly 10% in 1999 to UK£521m, with particularly strong growth in the US. Much of the growth was driven by sales of crystalware and millennium products, with ceramics attracting less demand. When sales from US luxury kitchenware maker All-Clad, acquired last year, were added, overall sales for Waterford Wedgwood grew 20% to UK£544m. The group also announced that Greek shipping tycoon Peter Goulandris, the brother-in-law of chairman Tony O'Reilly, who owns 6% of Waterford Wedgwood, was being made executive chairman in charge of ceramics. (whole item)