About Churchill China
Thursday, May 9, 2002

The Churchill group is an amalgamation of several family owned potteries which can trace their history back over 200 years to the Bridgewood family.

The Roper dynasty in fine tableware began in 1922 when Edward Roper took a half share in James Broadhurst, a Longton based pottery firm. His son Peter followed him into the business and the company expanded with the acquistion of Sampson Bridgewood.

In 1994 Churchill, in addition to their Hotelware and Tableware division, formed a Bone China division by the acquistition of the Crownford company in Longton, manufacturers of bone china giftware and tableware under the Queen's trademark. This was added to with the acquisition of Wren in 1998.

Until 1994 the Group was wholly owned by the Roper Family, however following a successful placing of shares on the London stock market the Group now has a wide range of investors, although the family still retain overall control.

Churchill China purchased the brand James Sadler, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of ceramic teapots, in March 2000, after the company went into receivership.

The company now employs 1200 people in 4 factories within the heart of The Potteries.