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Product profile
Dinnerware and kitchenware items are basic requirement for any house hold and food industry establishment: restaurant, café or hotel. The need for quality and / or quantity is met by a number of well known, traditionally recognized manufacturers and volume production supplier. The upper end of the market is supplied by Spode, Royal Doulton, Rosenthal, Noritake, Wedgwood and several other highly respected names. The volume / hotel supply comes from large pottery production operations, often located in low labor costs areas such as China, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. quality is commensurate with price while the appeal of design uniqueness is often found in either high cost / quality product or through compromising with limited production pottery producers.
The overall market for dinnerware involves a multi million dollar industry with production largely sourced through subsidiary companies, designated agents or wholesalers of specific producer names. The national or regional distributors are primarily concerned with selling and supporting their premium name brands for they carry high profit margins and up market images. The lower portion of the market is satisfied with low cost volume manufactured ware and both markets could continue to exist while remaining highly competitive.
A market opportunity has been observed that is not being filled by either the upper or lower and manufacturers i.e. the domestic / home consumers seeking attractive, unique dinnerware, and the restaurants catering for images of specialty in both food and individual service. High quality expensive china ware is not essential for either of these markets – pottery ware with attractive designs and uniqueness is both sufficient and appropriate. Sourcing of products to meet the needs of this identified market has not been a priority of established agents and wholesalers. Thus an opening exists to supply and support these customers.