Waterford tanking

Up to 800 jobs at Waterford Crystal are under threat after the company confirmed it had gone into receivership.
Almost a trademark of Ireland, Waterford Crystal is a vital part of the landscape. Will the government step in to help?
Possibly not. An Associated Press story said, in part:

"Waterford Wedgwood PLC, the maker of classic china and crystal, filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday after attempts to restructure the struggling business or find a buyer failed.

Four administrators from business advisory firm Deloitte were appointed to run the company's businesses in Britain and Northern Ireland, while a Deloitte partner in the Irish Republic was appointed as receiver of Waterford Wedgwood PLC, the ultimate parent of the U.K. companies, and other Irish subsidiaries.

The U.K. joint administrators said they intended to continue to run the business as they seek a buyer. Trading in the company's shares was suspended on the Irish Stock Exchange where they languished at just one-tenth of a euro cent and the company's directors — including Anthony O'Reilly, the Irish publishing magnate who along with his brother-in-law Peter Goulandris owns more than half of all Waterford Wedgwood shares — handed in their resignations.

"Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton are quintessentially classic brands that represent a high quality product which is steeped in history," the administrators said in a statement.

Of course, this is not the first time Waterford has fallen through the ice. After originally opening in 1783, the company crashed in 1851 and was brought back to life one hundred years later.

At 1/10 a cent stock price, now might be the time to buy at least a bit of history if not a stake in the future.