Waterford Wedgwood, which has factory outlet and concession stores in Kent, has been saved with its sale to an American buyer.

The iconic pottery and glass brand with manufacturing plants in the Midlands and Ireland, and five outlets in Kent, went into administration in January.

The sale to New York-based KPS Capital Partners, a private equity partnership, has saved nearly 1,400 jobs.

The firm known for its Wedgwood pottery, Royal Doulton and Waterford crystal operates five concession and outlet stores across the county - in De Bradelei Wharf, Dover; Fenwicks, Canterbury; Nasons, Canterbury; the House of Fraser, Fremlin Walk, Maidstone; and the House of Fraser at Bluewater.

The joint administrators said that WWRD Holdings had been formed by KPS to acquire "certain UK and Irish assets".

Angus Martin, Deloitte partner and joint administrator, said: "We are pleased to have secured the continuation of some of the oldest and most well known brands in the ceramics and crystal industries."

Pierre de Villemejane, the new chief executive officer of WWRD Holdings, said it was the beginning of an exciting new era for the business.

"We look forward to building on the company’s world-renowned brands and incomparable heritage, premier designers and strong customer relationships," he said.

The firm, whose major investor was Irish media tycoon Sir Anthony O’Reilly, had been struggling for some time and reported pre-tax losses of around £50 million in the six months to October 4.

Administrators were called in after lenders, including the Bank of America, called in their loans to the company which has debts of more than £400 million.

The firm’s origins go back at least to 1759 when it was founded by Josiah Wedgwood, although it was his great-grandfather who actually started the pottery business in 1656. Josiah was dubbed the Father of English Potters.

Waterford was established in 1783 in the Irish port of Waterford by two brothers, William and George Penrose,

Waterford and Wedgwood merged in 1987. Waterford Wedgwood plc was established in 1986 with the merger of Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood.