 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.
| 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.
“Liz has been a sounding board for many in the company seeking a level-headed decision maker,” said Wells of his sister, who currently sits on the board as executive vice president. “She has been at my side for the past several years helping me manage day-to-day operations. The way I see it, this move now gives title to what she does every day at HLC. And I’m sure our father, Joe Wells Jr., would have been proud to see the company leadership transitioning this way.”
|  Homer Laughlin names family member Liz McIlvain President. McIlvain takes the place of her brother Joe Wells III who moves to become Chairman of The Board. | 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/
RAK Porcelain announces its new catalog for 2013....first available via PDF download, with the hard copy soon available. To see the latest from this tabletop leader, you can download your own copy by going here: http://www.rakporcelain.eu/ RAK Porcelain Europe is a subsidiary of RAK Porcelain Group LLC located in RAS AL KHAIMAH in the United Arab Emirates.
Created in 2005, the RAK Porcelain company is part of the RAK Ceramics group, the world leader in the ceramic tiles industry.
(note: catalog is not available yet to view online in U.S., however, is available for download)
|  RAK Porcelain is produced in one of the largest and most modern ceramic production facilities in the world. |
Great new video from RAK Porcelain from their booth at the just completed Ambiente trade show in Frankfurt. Normally, Ambiente is for primarily retailers, but here you will see many RAK Porcelain products for the hospitality market. While the video is a little lengthy at 7 minutes, it moves quickly and well worth the time you will want to devote to it. Great showing of the breadth and depth of the RAK Porcelain line. | |
At the just completed NAFEM Show, The Homer Laughlin China Company® (HLC Inc.) showcased PLAYA , a new line of lead-free, fine quality dinnerware from RAK Porcelain. Ideal for high-end restaurateurs, its gleaming finish and gently fluted edges draw the diner’s eye to the chef’s creations. Like the perfect frame for a work of art, PLAYA beautifully complements its beautifully prepared contents. With its bright finish and delicate ridges, PLAYA provides both tactile and visual appeal. Amply weighted yet finely made, PLAYA is perfect for creative concoctions as well as fresh takes on old favorites. Hard-wearing yet of the highest quality materials, PLAYA is a handsome addition to the exciting contemporary designs of RAK Porcelain. PLAYA includes rectangular flat plates in five sizes, and a square flat plate is available in three. Round flat plates are available in six sizes, and the round deep plate comes in two sizes. Non-stackable cups come in four sizes, while saucers come in three. |  RAK Porcelain's PLAYA is available in America from HLC Dinnerware -The Homer Laughlin China Company | RAK Porcelain uses only the finest clays and raw materials and state-of-the-art equipment that allows unsurpassed attention to detail and excellent durability. RAK Porcelain employs the finest ceramic engineers and technicians, and their in-house and celebrity designers are world renowned.
RAK Porcelain continues add new products to give its hospitality customers more reasons to choose RAK for their tabletop needs. This time, it is the new plate warmer that RAK Porcelain has added to its line. Perfect for catering, especially when setting up a service in multiple locations. The plate warmer’s versatility and portability - in a specially designed bag - guarantees optimum and easy use in service areas while providing full customer satisfaction. This means the plate warmer is easy and flexible to use, with low-energy consumption and fits all types of plates and cups. • Depending on the outside temperature, the heating time may vary from 25 – 40 minutes to reach a comfortable temperature of 40 to 50°C for the items • Up to 29 plates with a 29 cm maximum diameter can be kept at temperature using very little electricity. • Integrated long-term temperature control through its sensor technology. • Quiet operation & elegant design • German quality product, TÜV and GSZ certified • Enhances the quality of the service • Guaranteed customer satisfaction • Cover fabric is flame retardant and easy to clean |
RAK Porcelain is part of RAK Ceramics, the world's largest ceramic manuafacturer.
|
With selecting items for your restaurant tabletop, selecting the right manufacturer is often as important as selecting the right product. Design, quality, and continuity of supply are just a few of the reasons to consider the company, as well as the product. There are many exciting companies right now in the tabletop category, but TabletopJournal will be keeping an especially watchful eye on a handful in 2013.
In no particular order, some of the hospitality tabletop companies that will be on our radar screen are:
| Bauscher/Tafelstern
Not only in the USA, but in other markets around the world, Bauscher has aligned itself with WMF/Hepp. We think this is an excellent fit and, as of yesterday, in USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, Bauscher has added Luigi Bormioli, another great complimentary product range. Bringing these powerhouse, upscale brands to the hospitality market should make 2013 an interesting year for Bauscher and its portfolio of brands.
| | | Steelite International
It’s hard to mention exciting tabletop and not mention Steelite. The recently announced acquisition of Royal Crown Derby is going to make this UK juggernaut even stronger, especially with the long-term benefits being added by the new factory to be built in Stoke. With the growing portfolio of exciting products showing no signs of letting up, Steelite will remain a company to watch in 2013.
| | | Tuxton
Tuxton China has been slowing changing and evolving for several years. TabletopJournal believes that 2013 will likely be the breakout year for this "off the radar screen” company. New products, new collateral materials, new trade show booth, new personnel.....all signal that Tuxton is ready to play with the “big boys" of tabletop. 2013 should be Tuxton's year.
| | | Studio William
This UK flatware company has been quietly (ok, sometimes, not so quietly) finding its way onto some of the best restaurant tabletops around the world, not to mention the Victoria & Albert Museum. At TabletopJournal, we love the Studio William inspiration that brings things to market like their new LEAF dessert spoon and their new MEAT BLADES. Look for sensory dining flatware items from Studio William to continue to be used by discerning restaurateurs in 2013.
| | | Oneida/Anchor Hocking
With more than a year since this marriage took place, expectations are high for this high-powered combination to accelerate to the front of the tabletop pack in North America and around the world. This company has the people, the products, and the supply chain to furnish growing global hotel chains of all levels. The already strong lineup of flatware, dinnerware, and glassware has recently been strengthened by the new STRATA buffet series. Look for this company to really take off in the coming months.
|
| | RAK Porcelain
As a part of the world’s largest ceramic manufacturer, RAK Porcelain continues to expand its brand presence around the globe. With the switch in America to the RAK name, this brand will come to be recognized as one of the truly great tabletop brands in the world very soon. Led by designers like Mikaela Dörfel and Alain Vavro, RAK Porcelain’s designs are both elegant and practical. RAK’s “state of the art” production give this company a great edge on quality and costing….all that seems left to do is to continue to build brand awareness globally. TabletopJournal expects big things from RAK Porcelain in 2013.
| | | Libbey
Libbey has been a company that has quietly gone about its business for a number of years. Always a supplier of great glassware, its World Tableware and Syracuse brands seem to have been afterthoughts, at times. Not the case any more, as TabletopJournal has made note of vastly improved dinnerware quality and expanded flatware ranges to go with a continually improving glassware range – note the recent addition of Spiegelau as a high-end glassware addition. But the real change happening at Libbey is likely a cultural change. Led by CEO Stephanie Streeter, we’ve noticed new changes in foodservice marketing….and re-configured HQ office to allow for better communication, and just a little more spring in the step of the Libbey salesforce lately. TabletopJournal thinks that the global foodservice industry will see a “new”, re-invigorated Libbey in 2013.
|
| | Fortessa
Fortessa, through the years, has developed a strong reputation for quality hospitality tabletop products … and, of marching to their own beat. So, for many reasons, Fortessa has always been someone to keep your eye on as it. The launch of their BASICS line and the SPICE collection at the IHMRS Show in New York was very impressive, but TabletopJournal has the feeling that these introductions might just be the beginning of a new push from this company….we're thinking that early ’13 will produce some new and exciting buzz from this tabletop leader.
|
| | Ten Strawberry Street
Always a company that was around the edges of the American foodservice hospitality business, Ten Strawberry Street has, to this point, been a great source for rental companies, caterers, and other banquet operators. Strong in retail, it seemed like that was their focus and they were glad to have whatever foodservice/hospitality business that came their way. After seeing their presence at last May’s NRA Show, we won’t be surprised if this “stealth” tabletop source is no longer so stealth. Ten Strawberry Street is one of our top darkhouse hospitality tabletop companies for the coming year.
| | | Elite Global Solutions
Long a supplier of creative melamine, for food service operators, EGS differentiates itself quickly with its catalog, website, and overall image. But, behind the marketing and the sexy literature is a company built upon great product quality and design, supported by legendary customer service. Companies that truly have great customer service (and not just talk about having great customer service) are not as plentiful as you might think. EGS has it and we think that 2013 might just be a banner year for them, so we are keeping a watchful eye on them.
| | There are a number of other tabletop companies that also merit watching. Corby Hall, Rosenthal/Sambonet, Arc Intl/Cardinal, Candle Lamp/Sterno, Churchill ….are all bringing new products to market, adjusting their way of doing business, and generally, doing some pretty cool things to help operators differentiate their restaurants.
There’s also a few of you out there who asked us not to mention your companies….you know who you are…..who are ready to make some pretty big news of your own.
So, while we’re just getting started, we think 2013 is going to be a very good year!
Just remember…..tabletop matters!
For a true classic white dinnerware, ARCTIC WHITE from the Homer Laughlin China Company (HLC Inc.) is hard to match. Proudly made in America and lead-free, it’s budget-friendly, exceptionally durable, and versatile — at home in casual dining, family-focused, or café-style venues. A favorite from breakfast to dinner, ARCTIC WHITE is designed to coordinate with Bright White tabletop accessories — including shakers, vases, ramekins, and more — from Hall China, the largest manufacturer of specialty chinaware and also a member of the HLC family of companies. HLC’s ARCTIC WHITE consists of 37 basic items, encompassing various sizes of both round and square plates and oval platters; a variety of bowl shapes and sizes from pasta to soup to fruit; and several mugs, cups, and saucers. A perennial favorite, white china complements any décor and makes food look beautifully appetizing. And not only is ARCTIC WHITE American-made, it is also designed — along with all of HLC chinaware — to help preserve the world’s resources as part of their commitment to sustainable practices. | | “We want to give our customers the best, most durable chinaware they can find anywhere,” says Joseph M. Wells III, Homer Laughlin company president and CEO. “We think ARCTIC WHITE is a beautiful example of that, especially paired with Hall China’s Bright White accessories to make a completely coordinated tabletop. We are proud to include ARCTIC WHITE in our offering of quality products made in America.” HLC Inc. now brings customers the most complete dinnerware offering in the industry. The family of companies offer a comprehensive range of attractive, durable, and cost-effective commercial dinnerware, serving ware, bakeware, and tabletop accessories for foodservice institutions. To view the entire collection of foodservice products available from HLC Dinnerware - Homer Laughlin China, Hall China, and RAK Porcelain, go here: http://www.hlcdinnerware.com/
This way please for custom decorations....! From the floor of the RAK Porcelain booth at the recent Equip’Hôtel 2012 in Paris. Clever folks, those RAK Porcelain people! | To learn more about the various collections, including personalized dinnerware, from RAK Porcelain, go here: http://www.rakporcelain.eu/ |
RAK Porcelain has a well merchandised, end aisle display at Equip’Hôtel this year, featuring their new Healthcare items from the SKA collection.
|
Dudson's stand at Equip’Hôtel features a drop ceiling and, of course, the new Serreguimes collection. All value, no compromise.
|
|
