WWRD Group, the company which took over the Waterford Crystal and Waterford Wedgwood brands, says it will open a new crystal facility in the city.
It says it has signed an agreement with Waterford City Council to open the new manufacturing facility, retail outlet and visitor centre in the former ESB regional office and surrounding buildings at The Mall.
WWRD says it will employ 80-90 full-time staff at the facility and 30-40 temporary staff 'according to seasonal demand'. It is planned that 40,000 pieces will be hand-made every year by around 20 skilled craftspeople at the facility.
The Waterford Crystal Prestige Manufacturing Facility is scheduled to open in June 2010. The Council will retain ownership of the site, with WWRD responsible for all operational aspects of the venture.
The world famous Waterford Crystal visitors' centre at Kilbarry in Waterford closed its doors for the last time last week. Manufacturing at the factory stopped this time last year when a receiver said the company had no more money to pay staff. A winding-down operation has been going on since.
Up to 3,000 people once worked for Waterford Crystal, which had major factories in Kilbarry and Dungarvan.
