Looking to transition your white porcelain dinnerware? Or, maybe just highlight a particular menu item? Steelite's new CRAFT - White is the easy decision. The UK manufacturer's hottest design, CRAFT, now comes in white.... perfect for mixing and matching with your existing dinnerware.....or a complete new service all by itself. CRAFT from Steelite.....White Hot! To learn more about Steelite, its new popular CRAFT line or any of its other extensive range of hospitality tabletop products, go here: http://www.steelite.com/
Steelite International, a leading global provider of tabletop products for the hospitality industry, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Nambé to market and sell its design-led, award-winning collection of service items in the Americas. “This new partnership positions Steelite to offer high-end crafted metal products to the luxury segment of the market,” said John Miles, President of Steelite International Americas. “Hotel F&B Operators are looking for unique and innovative products for their hospitality presentations. Nambé fills this niche by combining the finest materials and hand craftsmanship with design from the world’s most esteemed artists.”  Robert Varakian, President and CEO of Nambé, had this to say: “We are excited to be partnering with Steelite, the premier hospitality distributor, and for the opportunity of bringing Nambe’s world class design and quality to the food service industry.”
Since 1951, Nambé has produced countless award-winning tabletop pieces as well as items exhibited and acquired by museums such as the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the International Museum of Design. Nambé’s service items include bowls, trays, pitchers, serving sets, and unique decorative items such as vases and candleholders. Its signature metal alloy (and a 15-step casting process) ensures that Nambé’s metal designs have the beauty and luster of silver, the strength of iron, and the resistance to cracking, chipping, and tarnishing.
The National Restaurant Association will be holding its 2013 NRA show May 18-21. Steelite International will be showcasing a broad array of Nambé signature pieces in Booth 7213 on Level 3 of the North Hall.
Don't you just hate it when you travel somewhere on business....and, when you get there, you find there's a #CraftBeer Week scheduled? That's what attendees to this week's NRA Show in Chicago are finding. We know, we know....it's tough duty. But, hey...somebody has to do it. Seriously, Chicago Craft Beer Week is an effort to promote the great brewers, breweries, brewpubs, craft beer serving bars and the beer loving community in the greater Chicago area. Brought to you by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013 last for eleven days - May 16-26th and will be held at venues all over the Chicago area. From beer dinners to tap takeovers, from Lincoln Park to Bridgeport, we hope to help you find out just how great Chicago Craft Beer really is. to check out the list of scheduled events and venues, go here:http://chibeerweek.com/schedule/ |
Holy Craft! It's in all the papers!
| And, for those attending the NRA Show at McCormick Convention Center, this would also be a great time to check out the great beer glass selections from people like Libbey, Cardinal Glass, Oneida/Anchor Hocking, Steelite, Luigi Bormioli from Bauscher USA, and Duralex. We know you realize the importance of having the right glass to give your guests the best beer experience possible. But, in case you need a little refresher course, here's a great - and short - video from CraftBeer.comA week that lasts eleven days! Love it!Cheers.
 The London Evening Standard reports that tabletop company Steelite International served up a strong growth with a record 2012 sales year, a result not often found in these global economic times and conditions. Steelite announced sales of £70.2 million for 2012, up 6% from the previous year's £66.3 million.But pre-tax profits were down from £7.9 million to £7.2 million after it last year acquired Royal Crown Derby, the historic bone china manufacturer. Chief executive Kevin Oakes attributed much of its success to overseas customers in 130 countries, representing 80% of Steelite's turnover, who saw "real value in the Made in England backstamp". Steelite has been on quite a roll lately as just last week, the privately-owned firm was recognized with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the international trade category. In addition, Steelite has recently announced several job increase iniatives that will continue to support the company's sales growth. To read the entire London Evening Standard story, go here: http://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/ceramics-maker-steelite-bucks-trend-with-sales-growth-8587137.htmlTo learn more about Steelite's collection of hospitality tabletop products, go here: http://www.steelite.com/
 Steelite International has unveiled a new structure which it hopes will aid its expansion plans. A series of promotions at both Steelite and recent acquisition Royal Crown Derby will help deliver growth across the group, it suggests. Neil Hooper has been appointed as Managing Director for Steelite International Europe and Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and he will head up a newly-formed Operations Team for those regions. The team will be overseen by the Group Operating Board, and Phil Ray takes a seat on the Board in his new position as Company Secretary, with Wendy Dean as Group Human Resources Director. Kevin Oakes, Chief Executive of Steelite International, said: “We’ve enjoyed really strong growth, but we have no intention of resting on our laurels. “We are committed to manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent, and sales growth allows us to invest in the site here and to develop products that help us compete around the world. The new Operations Team will help us do just that. They all have specialist skills, but they are also very commercially aware and share my passion and vision for this business. It’s a real pleasure to be able to bring on the next generation of exceptional managers and to reward people who have made an outstanding contribution to Steelite International.” Steelite bought Royal Crown Derby last year. Production of the world-famous china and giftware, which dates back to 1750, will remain in Derby – retaining the skills of its 200-strong workforce and paving the way for growth beyond the current annual turnover of about £7 million. A new structure will also act as a springboard for increased sales at Royal Crown Derby. Mr Oakes said: “Royal Crown Derby is famous the world over and we’re proud to be the new custodians of the brand. We want to protect and enhance the name whilst also reinvigorating it and introducing it to the hospitality market. The new structure is streamlined and very commercially-focused, which will pave the way for significant growth.”
From the U.K.'s Peach Report.....Restaurant and pub specialist Steelite International has become the first tableware supplier to pick up accreditation from the Sustainable Restaurant Association for its environmental responsibility. Awards from the SRA have become increasingly valuable to restaurants and pubs as public interest in food sustainability issues increases. Accreditation should give Steelite a useful calling card as it seeks to grow its business in the UK and further afield. | | Steelite International CEO Kevin Oakes said: “We’re really proud to be one of the remaining manufacturers at the heart of the potteries and as the largest manufacturer in the UK, we take our environmental policy very seriously. We continually monitor and develop the way we do business to create minimum impact on the community and environment.”You can read the entire article by going here: http://www.peach-report.com/Operations/1880143/steelite_plates_up_sustainability.html
 Designer Martin Kastner discusses the attention to detail and passion that goes into each piece of the Crucial Detail collection that brings the focus back to food and elevating the dining experience for the restaurant guest. A question we’re often asked at TabletopJournal is what makes Steelite so special and how do they continue to grow their business? After spending much of today in product review sessions where new product after new product was showcased, along with new uses and updates for existing products….you might well assume that the answers to be those questions would be product related. | After all, today they had 13 rooms reviewing Steelite and partner company products, with no shortage of creative tabletop in sight….each room offering its own new, creative arrow for the Steelite USA sales quiver. As a tabletop leader, to the outside world it might easily appear that it’s the products and the prices they sell them at that gets Steelite to its leadership rung on the tabletop ladder.
And, while strong sales and profit growth were highlighted in the morning’s opening session…it is the growth in Steelite as a leadership brand that stands out among the many positive highlights.
|  Steelite's new WNK pattern JAVA is an example of a creative re-vamp of a classic flatware pattern done in 18-10 stainless steel. | However, from what I have witnessed in my very short visit at this sales conference, it’s far more about the people – and their passion – than it is about the individual product that leads to the success at Steelite. While their products are the most creative products of their types, in the end what is impressive is how the Steelite people use these products to provide solutions to their customer’s tabletop problems.
From VP, National Accounts Tony Taneal to Denver area Sales Rep Ron Gallman to Tabletop Specialist Mary Beth Miller to Midwest Sales Manager Jack Eaton…. they all shared the passion for selling tabletop with each individual encounter we had with them, as did many others whose names I didn't get. It is this passion for providing tabletop solutions that seems to run throughout the Steelite organization.
Today’s product breakout sessions were a good example. Each upbeat and fast moving session was run by a knowledgeable expert whose passion and energy was on full display. You saw it in the informal hallway gatherings - discussing this product or that...how they might work to solve a particular customer's problem. Other companies may try to compete on a product basis, but Steelite seems to be competing on a talent basis….and their inventory of talent runs deep.
 Steelite's recent acquisition of Royal Crown Derby is already yielding new products. Royal Crown Derby Entertains is introducing six bone china patterns all made in England, reinforcing the brand's "self assured" authenticity. So, while there can be no doubt that Steelite has some truly creative products – with many more on the way - it is the people and their talent – and, yes, their passion - that are perhaps this company’s most impressive assets.
| Steelite USA President John Miles opened the company’s annual Sales Conference tonight with a theme of ”Building Bridges Together” at Mansion on Fifth which is among the last of the grand mansions of Pittsburgh’s storied “Millionaires Row,” home to many great turn-of-the-century industrialists and financiers.
“There are many ‘take aways’ for the participants that need to happen at great sales meetings,” commented Miles. “From giving out new product information to recognition of great sales efforts to overall team building – and we work hard to make sure to all these are included. Steelite always has.”
Company personnel from all over North America, Steelite USA headquarters, and Steelite's UK offices all joined in the tonight's opening events.
|  Steelite design leader Andrew Klimecki and Grammy Award winning record producer Steve Lillywhite at the opening party of Steelite USA's 2013 Sales Conference. | Steelite also had on hand as keynote speaker was Grammy Award winning (U2, Dave Matthews Band, 30 Seconds to Mars) record producer Steve Lillywhite who spoke on the success that can come from always staying passionate about your craft - whether it be music or tabletop. Weaving in stories about his famed music clients, Lillywhite told the group that keys to achieving and maintaining success were to keep the journey fresh and to remain relevant. And, that it's all about the passion. Well received by the crowded room, Lillywhite's comments set the tone for an upbeat, creative evening and a great start to the overall conference.  Steelite had rooms in the mansion decorated with the wide range of the company's products set in multiple vignettes. Showing room service, bathroom amenity items, fine dining tabletop displays and more, products were shown in a wide range of use. The remainder of the Sales Conference agenda includes industry updates, a presentation on newly acquired Royal Crown Derby, and sales training seminars, concluding with Steelite's Annual Awards Dinner
On Friday 15th March, Steelite International, held its 2nd Stepping Up To The Plate Awards at the Moat House Hotel in Stoke. The event also marked a major milestone for the company as they celebrated their 30th anniversary since becoming an independent in 1983. The evening saw 74 members of the Steelite staff applauded and rewarded for long service – from 10 years through to an astounding 49 years with the company.  Awards were also given to mark outstanding achievements in the company’s nine values of Commitment (kilns department) , Teamwork (the team responsible for establishing the company’s first retail outlet Perfect Setting) , Respect (security guard, Lee Murphy), Creativity (Chantal Feliu in European Customer Service), Passion (a team who presented to the North Staffs CIPD group), Responsibility (Adrian Smith), Honesty (David Bayley), Leadership (Mark Moreton) and Success (Steelite International’s United States arm, who also took the overall value award for bringing in an astounding $63million of sales.)
In addition, awards were made to the company’s top Employee Champion (Tom Ingle), Learner of the Year (April Molloy-Barker), as well as a Community Spirit Award (Three Peaks Challenge Team) and Health and Safety Award (Paul Page).
Hospitality tabletop leader Steelite International is set to hold its second ‘Stepping Up To The Plate Awards’, at Stoke-on-Trent’s Best Western Moat House Hotel to recognize outstanding achievements by employees worldwide. Commenting to local publication Midland Business News, on the awards, Steelite International Chief Executive Kevin Oakes said: “This awards evening is one of the highlights of the year for Steelite International, it celebrates all that is great about our company, our worldwide success, our commitment to Stoke-on-Trent and our pride in our fantastic employees." | Steelite International prepares for its second annual "Stepping Up to The Plate" Employee Awards event.
| Oakes continued, “The evening will see us pay tribute to the long service of dozens of great people and will also see us celebrate the next generation of outstanding ceramicists -our young apprentices.”And the event also marks a major milestone for Steelite as it celebrates its 30th anniversary since becoming independent in 1983. To learn more about Steelite and its wide range of hospitality tabletop products, go here: http://www.steelite.com/
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