Waterford Crystal

The history of glass production in Waterford goes back to 1783, when brothers (or uncle and nephew, depending on who you believe) George and William Penrose began producing fine flint glass. Their wares gained world renown, but the business lasted only until 1851.

The later Waterford Glass company was founded by Karel (Charles) Bacik, who had begun producing glassware in Světlá nad Sázavou, in the Czech Republic (Bohemia), in 1935. By 1946 he owned four factories, but he left his homeland in 1947 as the Communists began taking them over. In partnership with Bernard Fitzpatrick, a Dublin gift–shop owner, he set up a new business in Waterford – taking advantage of the city's history and reputation in the production of fine glass.

Bacik's grand–daughter, Ivana Catherine Bacik (born 25 May 1968), is a politician who has served as Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad (Irish Senate) since May 2011 and a Senator for the University of Dublin since July 2007.

By 1950 Waterford Glass was in financial difficulties, and Bacik sold the company to the Irish Glass Bottle Company. In 1987 Waterford Crystal merged with the Staffordshire–based pottery manufacturer Wedgwood (founded in 1759) to form Waterford Wedgwood plc, based in Ireland.

In 2009, after many years of mixed financial results and significant cost–cutting, Waterford Wedgwood was placed into receivership. The Waterford and Wedgwood brands, along with others including Royal Doulton, were transferred into a new company: Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton (WWRD). In 2015 this was acquired by Fiskars – Finland's oldest company (established in 1649). Fiskars was formerly best known for its orange–handled scissors, created in 1967, of which it had sold more than one billion by 2010.

Waterford and Wedgwood are seen today as two of Fiskars's key brands. Most Waterford crystal is now produced in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany.