Pilkington's Tile Company, Clifton

Pilkington's Tile and Pottery Company was established in Clifton, Salford in 1891. An accidental discovery of clay during coal mining engineering prompted the Pilkington family to employ William Burton as manager. Burton was a chemist from Wedgwood and designed the factory. This was an age of great technical and scientific advancement and production of tiles began in 1893. About five years later production of its Lancastrian pottery commenced. This went on to become world famous, selling at Liberty's of London Tiffany's of New York, culminating in the award of the Royal Warrant in 1913, after which the pottery became known as Royal Lancastrian. Pilkington's became a major employer and also employed prestigious designers and artists for their pottery, tiles and tile murals. The company went into administration and ceased trading in 2010.

From the guide to the The Pilkington Archive, 1889 - 2007, (Salford City Archive)