DUDLEY — Sonia Kumar, Member of Parliament for Dudley, has voiced support for the Black Country’s ceramics and clay manufacturing sector, warning that rising energy costs continue to place pressure on long-established local employers and skilled manufacturing jobs.
The Dudley MP highlighted the importance of businesses such as Dreadnought Tiles, which has operated continuously in Pensnett since 1805 and remains one of the region’s best-known manufacturers of traditional clay roof tiles.
Ms Kumar said the ceramics and heavy clay sector is a vital part of Dudley’s industrial identity, supporting skilled jobs, apprenticeships and the local economy, while also preserving the area’s manufacturing heritage.
The comments follow growing national concern over the impact of energy prices on the ceramics industry, with manufacturers across the UK warning that gas-intensive production processes are becoming increasingly expensive. Industry representatives have said ceramics businesses face some of the highest industrial energy costs in Europe.
Sonia Kumar MP said:
“Dudley and the wider Black Country have a proud industrial heritage, and our ceramics and clay manufacturing sector remains an important part of that story today.
“Businesses like Dreadnought Tiles are not only preserving traditional skills and craftsmanship — they are providing high-quality local jobs and contributing to our regional economy.
“These industries are energy intensive by nature, and many manufacturers are under real pressure from rising energy bills and wider operating costs.
“We need to make sure the transition to cleaner energy does not leave behind industries that are strategically important to Britain’s manufacturing base and deeply rooted in communities like ours.
“I want to see continued support for manufacturers to modernise, improve energy efficiency and protect skilled jobs here in Dudley.”
Dreadnought Tiles recently worked with the Business Energy Advice Service to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, including improvements to kiln insulation and heat recovery systems, with projected annual savings of more than £100,000.
The Dudley MP said investment in industrial decarbonisation and energy efficiency must go hand-in-hand with protecting Britain’s manufacturing competitiveness.
Ms Kumar added:
“Manufacturing built communities like Dudley, and it still has a huge role to play in our future.
“As we move towards cleaner and more sustainable energy, we must ensure businesses in sectors like ceramics have the support they need to adapt, grow and continue employing local people for generations to come.”