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Steelite International (“Steelite”), the world-leading manufacturer and supplier of award-winning tableware and buffet solutions for the hospitality industry, announced today the acquisition of The Homer Laughlin China Company – Foodservice Division and the Hall China Company – Foodservice Division from The Homer Laughlin China Company. The former Homer Laughlin and Hall China manufacturing operations will now collectively be known as The Fiesta® Tableware Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Steelite will take over the manufacture and sales of key product lines from Homer Laughlin and Hall China’s foodservice offerings. Customers can expect most dealer partners to stay the same, and all representation will be conducted through Steelite's network. Its vast international reach will put the Homer Laughlin name on foodservice tables worldwide. Homer Laughlin's iconic retail line, Fiesta®, will not be part of the sale and will continue to be manufactured at the existing plant in Newell, West Virginia. Fiesta®, will be sold exclusively to the foodservice market by Steelite International.
Elizabeth Wells McIlvain, president of The Homer Laughlin China Company, said, "We want our customers to know they are in good hands with Steelite. Both companies are working hard to make this a seamless transition." She added, "We started our foodservice division in the late 1950s, and it's been a rewarding 60+ years. We especially thank all of our foodservice customers who have supported us and helped make Homer and Hall what are widely considered iconic brands. To these customers, you will still be able to get these products, but through Steelite's rep channel and dealers. Finding a powerhouse brand like Steelite was important to us as we transitioned to focus on Fiesta® and its considerable retail influence.” McIlvain said the Wells family entered into the sale of the foodservice division to be able to focus exclusively on the popular and colorful line of retail dinnerware that has been an American standard and one of the most celebrated American retail brands since 1936. “We are very pleased to acquire The Homer Laughlin China Co., and Hall China Company brands for the hospitality market," said Steelite International president and CEO John Miles. "In working with the Wells family, we understood we needed a creative solution since we were only acquiring a portion of the business. We took a step back to analyze the situation and came up with an imaginative and collaborative plan that achieved both parties' goals, which were for Steelite to acquire and sell HLC and Hall China brands to the Americas foodservice market and for Fiesta's production to stay in America at the current HLC facility on the Ohio River. As we take over the manufacturing of the foodservice ranges, our number one priority at Steelite will be to supply HLC and Hall China customers with the same quality, durability, and body composition the brands are known for in our industry." McIlvain said, "The decision to sell the foodservice division was very difficult for the Wells family, and we deliberated and considered it thoughtfully. We wanted to find a home for our foodservice customers with a manufacturer who could take on the reputation for excellence and the beloved shapes and patterns that we've been proud to manufacture for more than 60 years. Steelite is that company." About The Homer Laughlin China Co The Homer Laughlin China Company® was founded in 1871 and will continue manufacturing as The Fiesta® Tableware Company. For more information, please contact the HLC Inc., 672 Fiesta Drive, Newell, WV 26050. Phone: (800) 452-4462. Fax: (304) 387-0593. Web: www.hlcdinnerware.com/faqs. Email: [email protected]. About Steelite International Steelite International is the leading manufacturer and supplier of award-winning tabletop and buffet products for the global hospitality industry. Listening to customers has allowed Steelite to offer innovative solutions in china, metal, glass, wood, and melamine. Dual headquarters located in New Castle, PA, and Stoke -On-Trent UK, along with a 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility enables Steelite to service over 140 countries. Steelite is committed to providing the best in functionality and design while minimizing the effect on our environment. www.steelite.com For more information contact: Alison Clingensmith Director of Marketing Steelite International 724-856-4949 [email protected]
William Edwards Limited, founded in 1993 by William Edwards in Stoke-on-Trent, is known globally for its fine bone china servicing famous brands across the world. This includes collaborations with Michelin-star chefs like Brett Graham and Tom Kerridge to design stunning yet practical tableware collections. Their excellent reputation in servicing four and five-star hotels is second to none and includes a roster of high profile customers, including Jumeirah, Rosewood London, Claridge's, Four Seasons Hotel, The Connaught, The Dorchester, and the Historic Royal Palaces.
"We are so pleased to welcome William Edwards and his team at WE Limited to Steelite International," said John Miles, President, and CEO, Steelite International. "Our goal with all our iconic brands is to provide customers with exceptional quality, creative design, and unparalleled service; William Edwards is a perfect fit!" "WE Ltd are very excited to be joining Steelite International," said William Edwards. "We see this as the perfect fit for our ambitions of future worldwide brand growth. The combination of Steelite International's unrivaled global reach, with both of our U.K. based factories in Stoke-on-Trent working in unison, will undoubtedly allow our passion and creativity in tableware to thrive in the future." The acquisition of William Edwards Limited will strengthen Steelite's position in the luxury tableware sector, while at the same time powering William Edward's growth in the development, design, and manufacturing of luxury dinnerware. Both Steelite and William Edwards will continue to operate from their current facilities in Stoke-on-Trent, the heartland of England's ceramics industry, since the late 1700s. About Steelite International Steelite International is the leading manufacturer and supplier of award-winning tabletop and buffet products for the global hospitality industry. Listening to customers has allowed Steelite to offer innovative solutions in china, metal, glass, wood, melamine, and buffet. Dual headquarters, located in New Castle, PA, and Stoke-On-Trent UK, along with a 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility, enables Steelite to service over 140 countries. Steelite is committed to providing the best in functionality and design while minimising the effect on our environment. www.steelite.com About William Edwards A passion for shape, design, and traditional British craftsmanship is the inspiration behind every piece of William Edwards chinaware. Established in 1993 by William Edwards, a graduate of The Royal College of Art London, William Edwards specialises in the design and manufacture of fine bone chinaware for both luxury hospitality and retail clients worldwide. www.williamedwards.co.uk
In this Beyond The Table conversation, TabletopJournal Editor Dave Turner had the opportunity to sit with noted hospitality tabletop leader, Claude Peiffer, on a cool and bright sunny February day in the brand new, upstairs conference room in new, not-quite-100%-finished, European distribution center for RAK Porcelain.
For the first time, Ambiente has opened a dedicated hall for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry, increasing this year its total number of HoReCa exhibitors to around 650. In the show’s new hall 6.0, brands from 23 nations presented their latest collections and offered insights into the global hospitality industry. Glowing reviews go to show: Ambiente has firmly established itself as the leading international front of house platform. As a sign of its forward-looking approach, Ambiente enlarged its dining area to create a dedicated platform for the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. In view of a growing global market, Hall 6.0 – newly created in 2020 – was a perfect hotspot for national and international decision-makers from the hospitality segment – including hotel chains, restaurant owners, catering companies, cruise lines and airlines. The inclusion of specialised HoReCa offerings in the world’s largest consumer goods fair also gave buyers a unique opportunity to order not only table and kitchenware, but also products from the latest lifestyle collections in the Giving and Living halls. In this context, the daily “HoReCa Meets Contract” trend tours also proved to be very popular. Conducted by HoReCa expert Pierre Nierhaus, they highlighted new trends and design concepts from selected front-of-house exhibitors in the Dining and Living areas. Positive reviews and high satisfaction in the HoReCa hall The opening of a hall as a central port of call for national and international decision-makers in the hospitality segment met with an overwhelming response from new exhibitors such as US-based Front of the House and the family-owned 1handPlate: “The atmosphere and visitor quality of HoReCa Hall 6.0 surpassed all our expectations. The clientele was exactly our target group and we were able to gain customers from all over the world,” says Marina Moraitis, co-founder of the Danish brand. With 88 exhibitors from 23 countries in Hall 6.0 alone, plus another 205 Dining exhibitors listed in the Contract & HoReCa Guide and a large number of unlisted HoReCa suppliers in further Dining halls, Ambiente featured a total of around 650 HoReCa exhibitors with an outstandingly broad array of front-of-house offerings for a growing sector that is more multi-faceted and diverse than ever. “We are really seeing a worldwide hospitality boom right now. We, as trade-fair organisers, already realised its potential some years ago and I am very pleased that, thanks to the opening of the new HoReCa Hall 6.0, Ambiente was perceived more than ever before as the leading international front of house platform this year,” says Nicolette Naumann, Vice President Ambiente. In the HoReCa Academy, international keynote speakers also provided an expert outlook on relevant industry trends. As a speaker and presenter of the HoReCa Academy, Heleri Rande, F&B expert and partner of the Think Hospitality Group, was impressed by the global focus and depth of content at the premiere: “The launch of the HoReCa Academy went far beyond what I had expected. The speakers and contents were of a world class quality and made a magnificent addition to the multi-faceted offerings of the HoReCa exhibitors in Hall 6.0. I am curious to see how the Academy will further shape the hospitality industry as a global communication and knowledge-sharing platform in the future.”
Ambiente 2020: Answers to global front of house trends Ambiente 2020 offered HoReCa visitors global answers to tomorrow’s front of house trends. The healthy eating trend, which hotels increasingly incorporate in their breakfast buffets in the form of freshly prepared juices, smoothies and blenders, inspired exhibitor Steelite to present a teak buffet at this year’s show – using a material with natural properties that offer resistance to harmful substances and thus contribute to product longevity. The unbroken mix’n match trend with plates, dishes and bowls in a wide range of sizes and colours – including earth hues as in the RAK collection featured in 2020 – also allowed visitors to choose between virtually endless constellations and individual presentations. Other exhibitors stood out for unusual materials and colour choices. This year, the stoneware range by the Portuguese exhibitor Vista Alegre even included shades of turquoise. Imitations of natural materials such as slate or even tree bark – as presented by the Tafelstern brand at Ambiente 2020 – offered further inspiration. Sustainability was also a focal topic in the new hall. Product longevity has always played a major role for purchase decisions in the HoReCa sector. Restaurant and hotel owners have exacting standards when it comes to the quality of HoReCa products. The Tritan crystal glass collection by exhibitor Zwiesel is particularly break-proof thanks to a specially tempered stem surface – the traditional German brand’s solution to the great sturdiness demanded of HoReCa products. In addition, the company commits to resource-friendly production and uses no heavy metals such as lead. Exhibitor Halm also set new standards with dishwasher-proof glass straws for a great bar experience, not only in terms of feel and sustainability, but also meeting the needs of HoReCa visitors for durable products. Both companies were featured in the Ethical Style Guide this year. The curated directory lists exhibitors with eco-friendly and socially responsible production credentials at Ambiente. The current edition features 314 exhibitors from 49 countries, an increase of 27 per cent since last year. The next Ambiente will take place from 19 to 23 February 2021. |
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November 2021
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