The Potclays Limited Group of Companies

Founded in 1932, the Potclays Group presently comprises the holding company, Potclays Limited, and three subsidiaries: The Potters Clay & Coal Co. Ltd., Potclay Kilns Ltd and Forward Transport Ltd.

Several other companies have been merged into the group during its history including Harry Fraser Ltd. in 1976, H.&.L Kilns Ltd in 1983, Claytec (UK) Ltd in 1992 and D.J.Shaw in 1992. The group is a relatively small one employing about 45 people.

We operate from two sites: The Potters Clay & Coal Co. Ltd, which is the oldest member of the Group, still operates from the original site where it was founded in 1932. Called 'Swan Works' (in Brownhills, South Staffordshire), it functions as our main clay mine and clay processing. The other companies are based in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent:  Material processing, glaze manufacture, kiln manufacture, warehousing, showrooms and main offices are located at Albion Works.

Potclays Ltd

We manufacture most of the clay bodies, grogs, glazes and slips that we sell, and many of our clay bodies are based on unique clays obtained from our South Staffordshire clay mine. Clay bodies marketed under our St Thomas, Craft Crank, Industrial Crank and Flecked Stoneware trade names are renowned worldwide for their excellent hand-building and throwing properties.

We are also UK distributors of products from several leading overseas companies such as Shimpo, L&L Kilns, North Star, Venco, Orton, SKG (Botz), Clayworks and others.

Potclays Kilns

Potclay Kilns are specialist kiln manufacturers and make a wide variety of high quality electric and gas fired kilns for ceramics and other heat treatment processes. These range in size from around 12 litres (0.4cu.ft) chamber capacity mini-kilns to truck kilns of over 2 cu.metres (70cu.ft) capacity. Many of these are specially built to customers requirements. We also manufacture elements to fit most makes of kiln.

Hobby Supplies

 

Potclays is one of the largest hobby-ceramics suppliers in the UK and is expanding overseas too. It supplies a huge range of brush-on glazes, stains, colours, plaster moulds and bisque ware from several sources including US market leaders such as Spectrum, Mayco, Fash-en-Hue & Bisque Imports. We now also supply a wide range of affordable and high-quality brushes from Royal & Langnickel. Our high quality Potclays White slips are manufactured at our facilities in Staffordshire.

We also run hobby-ceramic teachers certification programs and hands-on courses in hobby-ceramics for all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

The Potters Clay and Coal Company

The fireclays from our PCC clay mines are exceptionally plastic and also pale burning. Consequently, they are used in pottery, brick, tile and vitreous china bodies as a part replacement for more expensive ball clays. We also supply sealant clays for lakes and waterways.