As we all know, the only thing consistent about ceramics is its inconsistency! Raw materials, clays, glazes, and kilns change over time. Remember Albany Slip?
If you want...
to cut production costs or lower loss rates
to develop a glaze and become independent of "stock" clay bodies from suppliers
to buy raw materials and clays from their source
to develop a clay body for throwing, hand building, slip casting, ram pressing, or jiggering operations
to develop a ceramic product
to change a firing temperature, try reduction firing, oxidation firing, salt/soda firing, wood firing, Raku firing, pit firing, lusters, decals, or fuming
to find out why glaze crawls, shivers, crazes, pinholes, blisters, dimples, runs, or just doesn't work
to learn why clay body fires too light, too dark, too absorbent, shrinks, cracks or just causes problems