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Selected stories 2011-2021
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.” Family companies steeped in history like The Homer Laughlin China Company (HLC), 142 years old and the largest remaining domestic tableware manufacturer in the United States, tend to write their stories based on generations of leadership, continuing progress, and increasing excellence. The chapters represent milestones, not just change. For the first time in HLC’s history, the mantle of leadership is being handed down, not to a successive generation, but from brother to sister. With a quiet nod typical of the privately held company, Homer Laughlin has announced Elizabeth McIlvain as its new president, effective March 18, 2013. As a fourth-generation owner of the company, Elizabeth takes over the position from her brother, Joseph Wells III, who is stepping down after 50 years of service. Wells III will take his esteemed father’s place as chairman of the board. In her new position, McIlvain will assist the board in overseeing all operations of the company’s two principal divisions — retail and commercial dinnerware — both operating out of the 37-acre manufacturing plant located in Newell, West Virginia. Her main focus is a continued emphasis on increasing sales companywide.
When asked about her plans, McIlvain said, “Business as usual, but kicked into high gear.” She explained, “We are growing. In the last decade, we have expanded manufacturing, introduced new brands, and assimilated new companies. All the while, our mission has remained true—leadership and innovation in the manufacture of quality lead-free china for the retail and commercial markets. For a company in its second century, growth and commitment to leadership means we run to the next opportunity. That’s what I will encourage. HLC will continue to write the history of the dinnerware category.”
Gene Williamson, recently appointed vice president of sales, Foodservice Division, for the HLC Inc. family of companies, offers that McIlvain is the ear company leaders seek. HLC companies include Homer Laughlin China; Hall China; and the Kenilworth Trading Company, the exclusive distributor of RAK Ceramics in the U.S. To view the entire collection of HLC products for the hospitality industry, go here: http://www.hlchina.com/ From a recent edition of Hotel F&B online: “RAK (Porcelain) has done an outstanding job of creating the right items for their customers and their requirements,” says Dan Kerr, VP of Kenilworth Trading Company. “The design team continues to keep new product introductions exciting and up-to-the-minute, with cutting-edge shapes, innovative patterns, and on-trend colors that work in a variety of settings.”
“Someone picking up a piece of RAK Porcelain will immediately feel the quality right in their hands,” he adds. “Anyone who knows and understands the commercial china business will say that RAK Porcelain is as good as it gets.” You can read the entire short article by going here: http://www.hotelfandb.com/reader-picks/12jul-homer-laughlin-rak-porcelain-dinnerware.asp RAK Porcelain has done something that we think is a bit unique.....but, yet, incredibly simple (sometimes, the best things are just that - unique and simple). RAK has produced a 32 page booklet showcasing some of their great customers around the globe. And, then they made it easily accessible via PDF file download. Nice. You can go to RAK Porcelain's reference booklet by clicking on the photo above or by going here: http://www.rakporcelain.eu/catalogs.html Not sure why other companies don't do this....a simple separate booklet showcasing some the customers who have chosen their products, along with chef quotes on why they chose RAK Porcelain and which designs they have chosen for their restaurant or hotel. As your mother has told you - you are judged by the company you keep. Looks like RAK Porcelain is keeping some very good company. Pretty simple. Actually......very clever. You can view the entire range of RAK Porcelain tabletop products by going here: http://www.rakporcelain.com/
GOLDEN ......from RAK Porcelain. Designed by Alain and Dominique Vavro, of course. Stunning. If you don't like GOLDEN......then, you probably don't like tabletop. See the entire collection from RAK Porcelain by going here: http://www.rakporcelain.com/
A number of companies have black, slate-like pieces to use as serving plates or trays. But RAK Porcelain - Kenilworth from HLC Dinnerware in America - has gone the extra step of sizing their pieces to be complimentary and often fit inside to their already creative white porcelain serving pieces. Called Stoneleaf, RAK developed a new material that can be used in buffets or in single-dish presentations. To be used individually or combined with plates or other pieces, the dark trays are completely hygenic, non-porous, and lighter than natural materials. RAK has also made handling easier by fixing silicon buffers underneath. With RAK combining strong production skills with the design capabilities of world class such designers Dominque and Alain Vavro and others, creative products from RAK has become the norm and nobody can be surprised that creativity and practicality can go so well together. RAK Porcelain is part of the RAK Ceramics Group. Since the creation of the Group in1991, the successful combination of professional experience, creativity, and unparalleled know-how has thrust RAK Ceramics into a leadership position in the ceramics industry. Inspired by the know-how and experience of its parent company, RAK Porcelain was set up with the aim of repeating this success by producing high grade porcelain for the hotel industry. RAK Porcelain uses only the highest quality raw material imported from the famous mines of UK & Germany to produce the fully vitrified high alumina porcelain. Dr. Khater Massaad, CEO, RAK Ceramics, has stated, "RAK Porcelain delivers a truly world class exquisite tableware at a value for money proposition to cater the demanding needs of high chip and scratch resistance products suited for the Hotel, Restaurant, Catering and Retail industry." To see the entire collection of RAK Porcelain products, go here: http://www.rakporcelain.com/home.php In America, look for the Kenilworth brand from HLC Dinnerware:
http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/general/kenilworthcatalog Not sure what's gotten into the good people over at HLC Dinnerware, but just as I've been crowing about their great new HLC Dinnerware catalog (you've seen the prior posts!) this beautiful new Kenilworth porcelain catalog arrives. Now, by now I hope you know that: A) Kenilworth is a relatively new line of upscale porcelain from the Homer Laughlin Company; and B) Kenilworth is made by RAK Porcelain in what is likely one of the world's most modern factory, located in the U.A.E. With gorgeous new designs like NORDIC by talented artists like Alain and Dominque Vavro, this new Kenilworth catalog is a treasure trove of porcelain prizes. Not only has creativity been built into each and every piece but so has practicality with Kenilworth's quality unsurpassed. Written in three languages - English, German, and Spanish - the new Kenilworth catalog suggests that perhaps their foreign supplier is having a bit more influence than previously they had. This also continues the journey for updating and improving the overall HLC collateral materials. Some may be longing for the good old days, but I'm thinking there are a least a few at HLC/Kenilworth who have their eyes on the future and it's in this catalog. Both in terms of styling and size (125 pages) this new addition to the collection of HLC literature - like the products inside - achieves the highest standard. You can see the entire Kenilworth line, along with the other products from HLC Dinnerware by going to:
http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/ Under the heading of “gems just starting to be discovered” is the Kenilworth line from Homer Laughlin. Know throughout the rest of the world as RAK Porcelain, the Kenilworth line is a really great "value for money" dinnerware for restaurants and hotels. The Kenilworth/RAK line is produced in the United Arab Emirates using the latest ceramic technology in a production facility 60,000 square meters in size and with an ability to produce 15 million pieces annually. Additionally, the same people who produce the Kenilworth dinnerware line also produce ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and more – products that are sold around the world - in a large, 1.5 million square meter ceramics production complex in the UAE. I think it’s safe to say, like Homer Laughlin, these folks know a thing or two about ceramics. The Kenilworth dinnerware line is wide ranging line that has both classic and contemporary shapes and items. From the new ORION design to the classic ALTRA or CLASSIC GOURMET designs, Kenilworth has something for everyone. Inspired by the greatest designers like Alain Vavro, the Kenilworth dinnerware collections appeal to both gastronomy purists and creative chefs alike. Given that the tabletop products used contribute so much to the overall aesthetics of any meal, the Kenilworth products are true masters of seduction. With clean lines and a distinctive purity in the whiteness of its body color, Kenilworth dinnerware is perfect for the chef who wants to differentiate her restaurant with food as the focus. Kenilworth also has plenty for the chef who wants to play a bit, too. Designs such as SAFFRON and KATANA provide dozens of unique shapes and sizes for everything from an interesting and petite amuse bouche to a glorious dessert celebration. Kenilworth even has a unique porcelain buffet service collection in B.CONCEPT. Its amazing forms make buffet presentation stand out and the integrated design shapes make for limitless creativity in designing the buffet setup. Additionally, Kenilworth’s other shapes and items mix in well with B.CONCEPT buffet service to provide an extra dimensional quality.
Desirable. Affordable. Practical. That’s Kenilworth from Homer Laughlin. You can see the entire lineup of Kenilworth products by going here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/general/kenilworthcatalog Today's really cool item is actually not an tabletop item....it's a whole catalog of items. The new HLC Dinnerware catalog incorporates the Homer Laughin brand, the Hall China brand, and the Kenilworth (RAK Porcelain) brands. This a such major step forward for this venerable American company - including what may be the first tabletop product catalog we've seen with the new QR coding - with really terrific photography, pulling all their products into one single catalog.
Additionally, the presentation of the Kenilworth line (outside the U.S., it is RAK porcelain) is another major step. This is a great product line that has some very creative items throughout its range. So....hats of to the HLC dinnerware folks for really stepping up with this new look catalog! A copy of the new Homer Laughlin - now HLC - catalog found its way into our hands and, I have to say....it's pretty darn nice looking. The spiral bound, 70 page tome is a little different than some of the other new catalogs that we have profiled, but this new HLC catalog brings together the Homer Laughlin, Hall China, and Kenilworth brands. The company has been challenged on all fronts in recent memory, but continues to be the American standard when it comes to foodservice dinnerware. The acquisition of the venerable Hall brand gave the Homer Laughlin terrific manufacturing capabilities for both the foodservice product line and for its retail Fiesta ware line. With its new found flexibility, HLC is now introducing new products such as Bosque (shown below) for foodservice. The Kenilworth line is certainly one of the hidden gems in the American dinnerware battlefield. With incredible quality, innovative design and shapes, and solid pricing, it remains under appreciated. Perhaps with its updated placement in the new catalog....and HLC's new website - www.hlcdinnerware.com - Kenilworth will begin to achieve some of the great potential it showed in its launch a few years back. On these pages, we have said that it's not enough to just have great products (HLC certainly has those), but you need the other pieces of the branding puzzle, as well - collateral materials being one of the keys. Well.....Homer Laughlin - now HLC - has a thoroughly modern and upgraded catalog, which showcases their brand trilogy very nicely. So, if your question has been ... is Homer Laughlin up to the challenge these days? The answer on these two key branding fronts is a clear and resounding "yes!". Well done. To see the new HLC catalog and its new products, including the Homer Laughlin, Hall China, and Kenilworth products, go to: www.hlcdinnerware.com
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