Wade Ceramics may be about to celebrate its 200th anniversary, but it is totally focused on the future – and a bright one at that.

All set to move into a brand-new state-of-the-art factory on Festival Park early next year, it is developing new production techniques, products and markets.

And given the western world's aging population, one of the latter – a range of tableware aimed at the care home sector – has the potential to be a big earner for years to come.

Founded in 1810, the Burslem firm is also a nominee for The Sentinel's BIC-backed Business Innovation Award and the Staffordshire University-sponsored Design Excellence Award.

One of Wade's big markets is the makers of strong spirits.Managing director Paul Farmer said: "We are the world leader in the design and production of porcelain flagons for the distilling industry, producing around three million a year.

"The vast majority end up containing Scotch Whisky for export to Japan, China and other parts of the Far East, and we are now producing them much more efficiently.

"Working in collaboration with a German firm we have developed the world's first production system for holloware, which involves high pressure casting, and which is robotically controlled, rather than the more labour-intensive moulding processes previously used."

One set of the new resin moulds will last for six weeks, whereas the plaster of Paris ones previously used could barely manage 10 days.

On a completely different front is Dignity, a new product range – manufactured in Thailand – designed specifically for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and including feeder cups and plates developed in close collaboration with the University of Stirling and BUPA.

All the design and development work was carried out in Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr Farmer said: "Research by the university showed that people with such conditions have problems with some colours, making it hard for them to see food on their plates.

"Greens and yellows were found to be the best in terms of contrast, and so our Dignity range is designed in those colours.

"The name was chosen as our products provide a far more dignified option than the likes of the plastic Mickey Mouse-type cups frequently used in care homes.

Mr Farmer has just returned from the Rehacare Show in Düsseldorf, Europe's biggest care industry trade exhibition, where Dignity was well received and he has already appointed four national distributors.