IT is wonderful that Waterford Crystal yesterday returned to centre stage in the city it defined for so many generations.

New life was breathed into Waterford Crystal today as small-scale production was brought back to its birthplace.

THE manufacture of Waterford Crystal products is to resume in the brand’s spiritual home in June, with nearly 100 permanent jobs being created as a result, the company’s new owner has announced.

THE rebranded Waterford Wedgwood group is targeting a 10% increase in sales in its upcoming financial year, following 12 months of production declines since coming out of receivership.

Work is under way to bring small-scale production of Waterford Crystal back to its birthplace as the company’s former flagship factory goes up for sale.

AER Lingus must consider a merger to avoid becoming another Waterford Wedgwood as revenue plunged 16% in the first three months of the year.

Almost 1,400 jobs have been saved after a New York investment group nailed down a deal to buy struggling crystal and china firm Waterford Wedgwood.

THE co-founder of the company which now owns troubled Waterford Wedgwood has described the Waterford factory as “a dinosaur manufacturing plant”.

Almost 1,400 jobs have been saved after a New York investment group nailed down a deal to buy struggling crystal and china firm Waterford Wedgwood, it was revealed tonight.

MEMBERS of the UNITE trade union at Waterford Crystal have been asked to attend a meeting this weekend to be briefed by their union officials on more developments regarding the company’s sale.

THERE is strong hope that some of the 480 staff let go by Waterford Wedgwood when the luxury tableware goods company went into receivership in January will be saved.

YESTERDAY’S shocking jobs figures — with unemployment up 70% in a year — dominated economic news but, thankfully, it was not all doom and gloom.

Receivers acting for Waterford Wedgwood today announced the sale of its Irish and UK businesses to a US equity fund.

Two members of the Wedgwood family are mulling over a bid for the ceramics business which bears their famous name.

WATERFORD Crystal workers have spent a fourth night occupying the company’s visitors centre in Kilbarry waiting for news of whether 300 jobs will be saved by a new buyer.

Two members of the Wedgwood family said today they were considering a bid for the ceramics business which bears their famous name.

China and crystal maker Waterford Wedgwood has received a “substantial” rescue bid from a US private equity firm, it was reported today.

WATERFORD Crystal workers last night spent a third night occupying the Kilbarry plant in the hope that a bid from a US private equity firm, Clarion Capital, could save 480 jobs.

WORKERS at the Waterford Crystal Kilbarry plant, which ceased production at lunchtime yesterday, vented their frustrations by storming the Gallery Kilbarry plant shortly after 3pm.

Hundreds of workers were occupying Ireland's world-famous Waterford Crystal factory tonight after being told by text message they were losing their jobs.

Senior Irish MEPs tonight said they were confident top European officials would sign-off on a multi-million euro handout to support laid-off Dell employees.

Representatives of workers at Waterford Wedgwood are to meet officials from the Department of Finance today to discuss concerns about the company's pension scheme.

WATERFORD Crystal workers have appealed directly to the Tánaiste to safeguard their pensions amid fears they will be left penniless if their jobs go.

Union officials at collapsed Waterford Wedgwood are to hold further talks about safeguarding their pensions with Government ministers later this week.

The Tánaiste Mary Coughlan is due to meet trade unions representing workers at Waterford Wedgwood this afternoon.

More than 300 UK staff at troubled china and crystal maker Waterford Wedgwood have lost their jobs, administrators confirmed today.

WATERFORD CRYSTAL workers, fearing for their pensions, received mixed messages from the Government yesterday about the possibility of assistance from the state.

A US private-equity firm that specialises in buying troubled and bankrupt companies could be set to save Waterford Wedgwood from going out of business.

PRAISE for Tony O’Reilly is in short supply in Waterford these days but the workers at the city’s near-doomed crystal manufacturer should be inclined to offer a word or two of thanks to their former chairman for his efforts to save the company.

Parts of failed china and crystal maker Waterford Wedgwood could be sold to private equity after buyout group KPS Capital Partners signed a letter of intent, administrators announced today.

HOTELIERS have warned that tourism will suffer if the Waterford Crystal brand is not preserved as a uniquely Irish product.

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has indicated the Government would get involved in a rescue attempt for Waterford Wedgwood — if this was possible.

Three potential buyers were said today to be eyeing up parts of the collapsed crystal and china maker Waterford Wedgwood.

WATERFORD Wedgwood majority owners Anthony O’Reilly and Peter John Goulandris are set to lose close to €400 million following the collapse of the firm, with a buyer unlikely to be found.

Up to 50 jobs hang in the balance in cork following the collapse of Waterford Wedgwood.

THE suspension of Waterford Wedgwood shares on the ISEQ, as part of the group’s Irish and British operations going into receivership, has come after a long period of inactivity for the stock.

The FTSE 100 Index notched up its fifth straight day of gains today, despite lacklustre trading on the London market.

World-renowned company Waterford Crystal is too important to be allowed to shut down, union leaders warned today.

The UNITE trade union is seeking an urgent meeting with management at Waterford Wedgwood following the announcement that the troubled company has gone into receivership.

Waterford Wedgwood this morning requested that its shares be suspended from trading on the Irish stock exchange following the appointment of a receiver.

A US private equity fund is understood to be in talks to take a controlling stake in Waterford Wedgwood for €600 million.

A US private equity fund is in talks to take a controlling stake in struggling crystal and ceramics manufacturer Waterford Wedgwood for €600m, according to sources briefed on the negotiations.

A US private equity fund is in talks to take a controlling stake in struggling Irish crystal and ceramics manufacturer Waterford Wedgwood for €600m, according to sources briefed on the negotiations.

THE 27 quoted companies on the Irish Stock Exchange who operate defined benefit pensions schemes are running deficits totalling €3.5 billion, according to a study conducted by Attain Consulting.