Spode

Spode was founded by Josiah Spode in 1776, Born in 1733 he had worked for a number of local potters before taking over a factory where he was formerly manager. Close friends with Josiah Wedgwood, together they were hugely influential in the Industrial Revolution and the shaping of the British pottery industry. Following his death in 1797 his son Josiah II took over the business, soon partnering with William Taylor Copeland and together they ran the business before the Copeland family bought it in 1833. Ownership stayed with the Copelands until 1966 when it was sold to the Carborundum Company Ltd. In 1970 the name was changed back to Spode and in 1976 it joined the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company to become Royal Worcester Spode. Today their brands also include Portmeirion, Pimpernel and Wax Lyrical.