Waterford Might Cut as Many as 1,400 Jobs

Waterford Wedgwood, which produces ceramics and luxury goods, plans to cut as many as 1,400 jobs, or about 14% of its work force, because of a big drop in consumer demand.

The Irish group said it has been hit by the global economic downturn, with the fall exacerbated by the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Most of the cuts will be in Britain, the company said, including 500 positions at Wedgwood production facilities around Stoke-on-Trent. An additional 100 jobs will go from the company’s glass operations in Waterford, Ireland.

There also will be job cuts in Germany, Australia, Japan and the United States.

Chief Executive Redmond O’Donoghue said he hopes most cuts will be made through attrition, early retirement and voluntary departures but compulsory layoffs could not be ruled out.