The business is run by husband and wife team Emma Bridgewater and Matthew Rice, who are proud of using traditional British craft skills to make each piece of pottery by hand. A team of 150 skilled workers based at the company's own factory in Stoke-on-Trent produces over 5,000 mugs, bowls or plates every day. It is the largest company to make all of its output by hand in Britain.

The growth has been fuelled by consumer desire to buy high quality British products as well as a shift in the way people spend their lives - spending more time in their kitchens at home. Emma Bridgewater also offers customers a continuously changing choice, producing a wide range of designs on mugs, jugs, plates and bowls. This includes its well known Polka Dot, Union Jack and Toast and Marmalade ranges.

Emma Bridgewater, founder of the company, said: 'We are so proud of having a busy factory full of people making pottery, once so unfashionable in a service–only economy like Britain. Our success proves that companies really still can be successful at manufacturing in this country.

Britain was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and Stoke-on-Trent was central to that seismic economic convulsion. We have built on that tradition utilising the still powerful infrastructure of British skills and expertise. Manufacturing needs to be given greater prominence in this country. It creates satisfying and creative jobs and sustains communities. The new government should support investment both in establishing new businesses in the sector and in retaining and developing skills for people who make things.'

As part of its 25th birthday, Emma Bridgewater has produced a special silver collection, featuring a Silver Toast and Marmalade mug, silver Union Jack mug and a solid silver christening mug [manufactured in the Silversmiths Quarter in Birmingham].