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What does it mean when a company boasts their product is “Made in the USA”? How is that claim different from “Assembled in the USA” or “Proud to be an American Manufacturer?” As it turns out, and much to the chagrin of many American manufacturing companies, the difference is a matter of interpretation; that is, “Made in USA” brand licensees usually meet accreditation standards through self-certification. Decades ago, “Made in America” became a rallying cry as industries hoped to move consumer preference away from low-priced imports. Today, manufacturers generally agree that “Made in the USA” should be a badge of American quality. As one of the last, large, true manufacturers of dinnerware made in the United States, HLC Inc.’s Homer Laughlin China Company became one of the charter partners in a movement to stop the process of self-certification of the “Made in America” claim. Taking the lead on this front is GBQ Partners LLC, an independent CPA firm who has teamed with Made in the USA Brand, LLC, to administer the Made in USA Brand Certification Mark verification program process. That process is now complete for Homer Laughlin. “GBQ Partners has completed their independent verification process of our products,” said Katie McIlvain, foodservice and general marketing manager for the HLC Family of Companies. “We are proud to be able to say that Homer Laughlin’s full line of dinnerware products are now certified as Made in the USA.” To achieve accreditation and verification, products must be found to have U.S. content greater than 90 percent. “This is a hallmark of quality we are honored to have achieved,” said McIlvain. “We believe that offering a product made in the USA makes a difference to our customers, and we’re proud of our company’s American heritage.”
At the just concluded 2015 NRA Show in Chicago, Homer Laughlin, part of the HLC family of companies, presented for the first time their new COTTAGE collection, a handcrafted dinnerware line that evokes comfort, joy and a bit of nostalgic charm. Like all of Homer Laughlin dinnerware, new COTTAGE is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. in their factory in Newell, West Virginia. The COTTAGE collection harkens back to simplicity, warmth and family meals remembered. On a durable, resilient ivory body with a distinct scalloped edge is a carefully hand-applied stippling of blue or brown “spice” — so every cup, bowl, plate and platter has its own, unique charm. As with all Homer Laughlin ivory-body products, COTTAGE is dishwasher-safe and oven-to-table ready. “We see an emerging market for Cottage, as diners yearn for a touch of home and restaurateurs focus on offering classic fare,” said Gene Williamson, vice president of sales for the Foodservice Division of HLC Inc. “We wanted to capture that essence with this pattern. We’re confident that dining establishments across the country will love both the durability and inviting beauty of COTTAGE.” Make your restaurant feel like a home away from home with handcrafted COTTAGE dinnerware from the Homer Laughlin China Company. For more information on COTTAGE or Homer Laughlin's wide range of products for the hospitality tabletop segment, go here: Homer Laughlin China Company Unveils the Cottage Collection
FOUNDRY has been created and molded to not impress visually, but to distribute heat evenly across its surface and stand the tests of both time and temperature in the toughest of back-of-the-house conditions. Similarly, FOUNDRY's high-quality glaze delivers a distinct personality that will wow your guests. From au gratin bowls to coffee cups, FOUNDRY symbolizes strength and beauty at every level of the dining experience. With more than 50 items in the range, Hall China's new FOUNDRY and its blackened matte finish seems just-pulled from the fire and the shapes - carefully designed by company artisans - feature strong, clean lines. All while looking and feeling like seasoned cast iron....without any of the worry of rust.
FOUNDRY from Hall China. Pulled from the Earth and forged in fire. FOUNDRY will inspire. To learn more about Hall China's new FOUNDRY and the many other collections that Hall produces for the hotel and restaurant industry, go here: Hall China Launches new Artisan-look FOUNDRY Collection The Homer Laughlin China Company®, part of the HLC Family of Companies, unveiled its new DOLCE pattern at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) show in May 2014. This pattern is available on the company’s Alexa line and features bold brushstrokes and playful interiors in three fun-loving tones: scarlet, turquoise and peacock. With its beautiful arched edges, the Alexa line evolves when the DOLCE pattern is applied. DOLCE’s bright colors are applied to the abrasion-resistant, mirror-like glaze, bringing eye-catching color to this classic, bright white line. Homer Laughlin’s classic Alexa line offers a range of unique items, including both triangle and square plates as well as the recently introduced coronet salad, soup and pasta bowls. DOLCE can be applied to all 21 shapes within the Alexa line. “In my 30-plus years as a custom designer, I’ve watched the ebb and flow of dinnerware trends as it relates to color and pattern,” says Ed Wonder, director of design at HLC. “For more than a decade, we were in what I call the ‘white winter;’ all chefs wanted a blank, bright white canvas for their culinary creations. Alexa has been ideal for satisfying that aspect. But for the past two years, we are seeing an increasing shift back to color. As the creators of Fiesta® dinnerware, we’re excited to continue to create new patterns and colors that allow our customers to set themselves apart from their competition while making their customers’ dining experience more memorable.” To learn more about DOLCE and the other wide array of hospitality tabletop products from HLC, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/home The Hall China Company®, a member of the HLC family of companies, is pleased to present its new catalog highlighting a full line of specialty dinnerware, including service ware, baking dishes, accessories and completer items, all made in the USA. “Rather than reemphasize this value principle, we wanted to graphically capture how Hall China pieces transform a table. With that as our goal, I really think our pieces jump from the pages of this new catalog,” said Gene Williamson, Vice President of Sales for the Foodservice Division of HLC Inc. “Our customers will be able to imagine possibilities that only our 100-plus years of continued innovation could inspire.” Hall China has been a staple of the American tabletop for more than a century and, in 2010, joined with Kenilworth/RAK and the Homer Laughlin China Company to form the HLC family of companies. The energy derived from the shared manufacturing resources has reinvigorated Hall’s collections and given need for the vibrant and appealing new catalog. From service ware to baking dishes to center-of-the-table accessories – Hall offers a vast array of completer items to suit every possible need. Hall’s pieces are at home everywhere – from cruise ships to hotels, from fine dining to casual. The company has designed this catalog to become a selector guide for chefs, dealers and tabletop creators in every foodservice niche. The book further offers experienced insights to help customers build their brand. The new Hall China catalog is chaptered in much the same manner as operators might use the product, with product assembled into categories such as Cook and Serve; Soup, Salad, and Pasta; Bakeware; Buffetware; and Condiments and Sauces. Foodservice professionals know that Hall China famously maintains their brilliant colors and surface appearance after decades of use. To find out more about Hall China, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/hall_china The Homer Laughlin China Co.®, a member of the HLC Family of Companies, has announced an exciting additional choice in their popular RE-21 foodservice-grade dinnerware line. RE-21 is widely known and well respected for its quality, strength and beauty by foodservice industry professionals across the country. The durability of this Ivory Body line has long been favored for even the most high-volume tabletop environments. Now, Homer Laughlin is pleased to be able to offer the visually appealing Arctic White glaze as an option for this popular line. This glaze offers an attractive, bright white hue, bringing a subtle, additional level of class and sophistication to any environment. “Our foodservice customers have been asking for strong, bright white dinnerware, and we have responded to their needs with the Arctic White glaze for RE-21,” says Gene Williamson, Vice President of Sales for the Foodservice Division of HLC Inc. “We’re confident our clients will be pleased with this option, which will deliver the versatility and quality they have come to rely on from Homer Laughlin.” The HLC Family of Companies prides itself on being the meeting place of craftsmanship and technology. As a Genuine Manufacturer™, their vast selection of dinnerware and accessories are designed and manufactured in the company’s own factory, furthering their goals to operate with a sharp focus on quality control, cost-efficiency and sustainability. RE-21 with Arctic White glaze can be customized with any desired color or pattern. As with all HLC products, the company’s customization options provide an attractive and impressive array of choices, and a consistency in production that sets them apart from other dinnerware companies. In addition to the many styles and colors shown on their website, HLC’s designers can work with customers on any custom design, incorporating restaurant, company or brand logos and colors. To learn more about RE-21 or any of the other fine HLC tabletop products, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/home
“Our design team is very pleased that SoHo was so well received in boutique restaurants, sidewalk cafes, catering, and more,” said Mick Bowdler, Designer at Hall China. “SoHo is sleek styling for the smallest tabletops, yet its strong presentation style instantly had an impact. The new beverage service is a perfect complement to the original line up. We’re expecting big things,” said Bowdler.
To learn more about Hall China, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/hall_china The Homer Laughlin China Co., a member of the HLC Family of Companies, is pleased to announce an exciting additional choice in their popular RE-21 foodservice-grade dinnerware line. RE-21 is widely known and well-respected for its quality, strength and beauty by foodservice industry professionals across the country. The durability of this Ivory Body line has long been favored for even the most high-volume tabletop environments. Now, Homer Laughlin is pleased to be able to offer the visually appealing Arctic White glaze as an option for this popular line. This glaze offers an attractive, bright white hue, bringing a subtle, additional level of class and sophistication to any environment. “Our foodservice customers have been asking for strong, bright white dinnerware, and we have responded to their needs with the arctic white glaze for RE-21,” says Gene Williamson, Vice President of Sales for the Foodservice Division of HLC Inc. “We’re confident our clients will be pleased with this option, which will deliver the versatility and quality they have come to rely on from Homer Laughlin.” The HLC Family of Companies prides itself on being the meeting place of craftsmanship and technology. As a Genuine Manufacturer™, their vast selection of dinnerware and accessories are designed and manufactured in the company’s own factory, furthering their goals to operate with a sharp focus on quality control, cost-efficiency and sustainability. RE-21 with Arctic White glaze can be customized with any desired color or pattern. As with all HLC products, the company’s customization options provide an attractive and impressive array of choices, and a consistency in production that sets them apart from other dinnerware companies. In addition to the many styles and colors shown on their website, HLC’s designers can work with you on any custom design, incorporating restaurant, company or brand logos and colors. For more information on Homer Laughlin, Hall China, or RAK Porcelain products from HLC, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/ Gentle curves and soft contours define the new ANNA line of lead-free, fine-quality dinnerware by RAK Porcelain, distributed exclusively in the United States by HLC Inc. ANNA’s timeless beauty is based on the comfort of traditional forms and provides the ideal frame for nostalgic favorite dishes as well as the trends of today and tomorrow. Perfect for a variety of culinary traditions and menu concepts, ANNA presents the right note of sophistication for hotels and fine dining establishments, yet also offers an equally appealing look for cafés and farm-to-table restaurants. ANNA is as functional as it is beautiful, offering exceptional durability for day-to-day handling. ANNA is produced with RAK Porcelain’s high alumina body and a highly resistant glaze, and is oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, shock resistant, and abrasion proof. The ANNA collection features 44 items including dinner plates, a petite oval serving dish, salad and soup bowls, coffee and saucer, and sugar and creamer with matching lids. Created by celebrated German artist Mikaela Dörfel in conjunction with RAK Porcelain Europe, ANNA is pleasing to the eye while priming the palate. Dörfel, whose work is inspired by nature, infused Anna with both organic and dynamic style to suit a range of presentations. To learn more about the wide range of hospitality products from RAK Porcelain, go here: http://www.rakporcelain.eu/ To view the complete collection of foodservice dinnerware products available from HLC Dinnerware, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/home |
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Ment'or Inspiring Culinary Excellence Archives
November 2021
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