Text Box: TABLEWARE TODAY INTERVIEW LYNNE OKULSKI  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

Text Box:

 

Text Box: Has Denby made mini teapots before? Yes, we produced one in our popular Harlequin pattern in a box set with loose tea that was very successful. We think these teapots have collectible potential; Denby has many collector fans. It’s a great gift and a standalone purchase as well. We also have three classic oversized mugs in Linen, Regency Green, and Imperial Blue, about $50 each. Any events planned for the anniversary? We’ll host an English tea party to kick off the celebration. The U.K. has many more events planned than we do here. They have 40% of the market share so they’ll make a big splash at retail. We’re proud of our history, but we’re most proud of how our design sensibility has always resonated with customers. That’s our forte. Design is the number one reason people buy Denby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

                                                                                                                                                         

   
   
 

 

Text Box: It’s a big deal, especially these days, for a company to celebrate 200 years. In our industry it’s kind of the norm for European companies to have longevity. We’re still in the original site and still manufacturing in England where we started 200 years ago making salt glazed bottles. We had a long history in the U.K. before we ever began exporting. The single fact that has always impressed me about Denby is its impeccable reputation for a quality product. We have always been known for quality and design. I’ve heard that for the last 30 years, ever since I started at Denby. Even when we pulled out of the U.S. market in 1987 and product couldn’t be found for three years, people still loved the product and wanted to wait for it. They feel a connection. It’s a product people are very emotional about. And that’s why you’re celebrating a 200th anniversary. What do you have planned for this year in the way of product and events? We have a new pattern designed specifically for the anniversary, Pure Green (above). It’s backstamped with the bicentenary logo and its innovative shape hearkens back to our roots. It’s modern, but timeless. Its name is timely too with the popularity of the green movement. Denby doesn’t tout nearly enough how environmentally-safe and -friendly the factory is run. Can you offer specifics? We recycle our slip water. We have a special run-off for waste so we don’t pollute the local water. We reuse clay; all excess clay goes back to the pugmill. We recycle bisque seconds. We don’t use cadmium or lead in our products. We train employees about environmental issues. We use minimal packaging and, in fact, sell most of our products without packaging. Almost everything we use is recyclable. Pure Green, along with all of our products, is pure green. Any other bicentennial launches? We have a line of miniature teapots that are really cute. They’re numbered and limited to 3,000 for each design. We chose six of our most popular patterns – Imperial Blue, Linen, Jet, Pure Green, China by Denby, and Truffle. They’re about $100 each. Has Denby made mini teapots before? Yes, we produced one in our popular Harlequin pattern in a box set with loose tea that was very successful. We think these teapots have collectible potential; Denby has many collector fans. It’s a great gift and a standalone purchase as well. We also have three classic oversized mugs in Linen, Regency Green, and Imperial Blue, about $50 each. Any events planned for the anniversary? We’ll host an English tea party to kick off the celebration. The U.K. has many more events planned than we do here. They have 40% of the market share so they’ll make a big splash at retail. We’re proud of our history, but we’re most proud of how our design sensibility has always resonated with customers. That’s our forte. Design is the number one reason people buy Denby.