Our History
Churchill has a rich history with over 225 years' experience in the market.
1795 – Sampson Bridgwood first manufactures earthenware in Longton
1818 – 'Blue Willow' pattern is first made – still in production today
1922 – Edward Roper buys James Broadhurst (est. 1870) in Fenton
1980 – First manufactured vitrified hotelware
1984 – Group renamed Churchill
1994 – Listed on the London Stock Exchange
1995 – Book research leads to Bicentenary and Royal Visit
2001 – Recognised as number 1 in the UK Hospitality Market
2002 – Alchemy Fine China brand launched
2002 – Alchemy Fine China brand launched
2002 - Established Churchill in the USA
2003 – Fastest growing hospitality brand in Europe
2008 – Art de Cuisine brand launched
2009 – UKAS accreditation attributed – £4 million invested in a new 12,000 pallet space warehouse
2011 – Churchill opens London Showroom
2013 - Launch of Bamboo
2014 - Launch of Stonecast
2015 - Churchill opens Madrid Showroom
2016 - Launch of Studio Prints Raku
2017 - New Showroom UK Head Office
2018 - Launch of New Website
2019 - We installed 240 solar panels on site, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
2020 - Studio Prints Kintsugi launches.
2021 - Further investment in solar panels generates enough electricity to run our new biscuit stock warehouse.
2022 - The total number of solar panels invested in hits 4500. Meaning that 100% of electricity used at our UK manufacturing base is from renewable sources.
2023 - Gas forklift trucks are replaced with a new electric fleet, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
2023 - Churchill opens Berlin Showroom