Johnson Brothers

Johnson Brothers now available to purchase

You can now purchase Johnson Brothers products by telephone and email via our Customer Service team.

Please contact us for pricing and stock availability.

Telephone: +44 (0)1782 40 40 45 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: contactus.uk@wwrd.com

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that some items are only available in cartons of more than 1 i.e. Blue Denmark Plate 25cm - Carton of 6. View our latest Johnson Brothers (European) Product Catalogue below for more information on available products.

Johnson Brothers Patterns

Current ranges include:

Blue Denmark	Devon Cottage	Eternal Beau
Farmhouse Kitchen - Spot Daisy	Farmhouse Kitchen - Woodland Stripe	Farmhouse Kitchen - Bakeware
Farmhouse Kitchen - Meadow Daisy	Farmhouse Kitchen - Blue Stripe	Farmhouse Kitchen - Blue Fern
Farmhouse Kitchen - Mugs	Old Britain Castles - Blue	Old Britain Castles - Pink
Rose Chintz - Pink	Born to Shop - Nostalgia	Born to Shop - Classic

View our latest Johnson Brothers (European) Product Catalogue

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The Story of Johnson Brothers

The founding of Johnson Brothers dates back to 1883 when three young brothers – Henry, Frederick and Alfred Johnson – joined forces and set up in business to manufacture semi-porcelain at a small factory in Hanley (the largest of the six towns which later formed the City of Stoke-on-Trent). With experience gained by working in factories owned by their relatives, they began to produce more simple and lightweight tableware shapes than was then customary. Making mainly white ware in a tough earthenware body, they soon build up a considerable business in the home market and within a few years consolidated their position by expanding into export markets. Initially, the United States of America was the prime objective of their export effort, but they were soon having to meet increasing demand from European and other overseas markets.

With substantially increasing orders for their products, they brothers decided to expand their manufacturing activity, and they built three factories in Stoke-on-Trent – the Hanley Pottery in 1888, the Alexandra Pottery in 1889 and the Imperial Pottery in 1891 – all of which were specially adapted for the large-scale production of their fine earthenware tableware for distribution to worldwide markets.

The early years of the twentieth century were spent in further consolidating the rapid development of the initial advances of the company, which the partnership had by now become. The founders were helped by their sons who had joined the business and who were to make valuable contributions in the years to come. The first World War somewhat retarded development, but in the 1920’s and 1930’s a number of important new shapes and patterns were introduced – some of which are still made in large qualities today. The coloured body range in the well known “Dawn” series was used as the basis for the new underglaze print patterns that were being designed at the time, and for which Johnson Brothers acquired a well-earned reputation at home and abroad.

As in 1914-18, so in the Second World War their development was brought to a halt and output was severely restricted; but as soon as the war was over extensive modernisation schemes were put in hand and numerous gas-fired tunnel kilns were built to take the place of the traditional coal-fired “bottle-shape” ovens which were then used for firing ware produced at all the factories. This programme of kiln construction was a continuation of the work started in the pre-war years to improve firing methods.

In 1960 Johnson’s acquired Eastwood Pottery close to their Hanley Pottery, further to increase the group’s output; this is used as a warehouse facility and is soon to provide extra casting and kiln firing facilities for the expansion taking place at Creative Tableware.

In recognition of the outstanding quality, design and value of the firms’ products and the efforts over the years of everyone engaged in producing them, the Company has been graciously granted two Royal Warrants, namely one by H.M. The Queen and the other by H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and in 1966 the Company was given the Queen’s Award for Industry and an acknowledgment of an exceptional export record – approximately 75% of the Company’s production having been sold in overseas markets over a number of years.

Such is the story of the small beginnings of an ambitious young trip of Johnson brothers who earned quick success, followed by rapid expansion under the management of their family successors into what has today become a world-famous fine earthenware company.