Prestige

About Prestige

Prestige is one of the world’s best known and well-loved housewares names thanks to more than 50 years of making good quality products for the home. Prestige’s commitment to quality and reliability has built an enviable relationship of trust with its loyal customers.

The Prestige story starts in 1936 when a company called EKCO Products Company, based in Chicago, USA, purchased a UK company called Platers & Stampers. EKCO wanted to expand into Europe and Platers & Stampers provided the perfect avenue for this. At this time Platers & Stampers produced chrome plated kitchen tools and gadgets, bathroom fittings and domestic bakeware.

The company's ambitious plans were paused as the Second World War took hold and Platers & Stampers was called into service, from 1939 to 1945, producing munitions. Despite the war finishing in 1945, Platers & Stampers continued to work for the defence industry until 1953. By 1956 the company was back on track with its expansion and the Prestige name started to be used on a commercial basis. By now the company was producing a wide variety of housewares products and had acquired factories in Derby, Blackburn and Burnley.

As the standard of living increased in the UK during the 1970’s so did the demand for Prestige’s well-designed household and kitchen products. By 1976 the company’s turnover had increased from £650,000 in 1946 to £42 million and it was now employing more than 4,000 people. Overseas markets were also growing at a dramatic rate and selling offices, warehouses and factories were set-up in countries all over the world to cope with demand. Prestige’s success continued throughout the 80’s, through an ambitious plan of company acquisitions, product design and development of overseas markets.

Prestige continues to provide products for the home from bakeware, kitchen knives, tools and gadgets for food preparation to the famous Prestige Pressure Cooker, one of the most iconic products of its generation. Recently Prestige introduced a range of small electrical products including kettles and toasters and counter top cooking appliances.

from the Prestige web site