Culinary Connections

The Homer Laughlin China Company began as a partnership of two Laughlin brothers, Homer and Shakespeare, in 1871. The company was created to sell pottery ware, which was made in factories in their hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio. Yellow ware had been produced in the town since the 1840's, but there was now a demand for white ware, which was only available via export from England. The East Liverpool City Council contributed $5000 to the Laughlin Brothers, whose proposal to produce white ware was approved by the council.

A two kiln plant was built on the banks of the Ohio River in 1873, and the Laughlin Brothers quickly gained a reputation for quality, winning awards at the U.S. Centennial Expo in Philadelphia in 1876. The following year, Shakepeare Laughlin decide to try new ventures, and the company was now called the Homer Laughlin China Works. In 1897, Homer Laughlin retired and moved to California, selling his company to William Wells, who had been with the company since 1889, and Louis Aaron, who was a financial partner.

More plants came in the ensuing years and in 1906 the largest pottery plant in the world to date was built across the river in Newell, West Virginia. Prior to the plant being built, the land was purchased and the town was created by adding water and sewer systems, and electrical power. A suspension bridge and trolley line were also built, connecting East Liverpool, Ohio and the original plants to the newer larger plant in Newell, West Virginia. The headquarters moved to Newell, more plants with larger tunnel kilns were built, and the company continued to expand. The company decided that it would not be worth remodeling the old plants in East Liverpool with modern equipment, so as the eighth Homer Laughlin plant opened in 1929, the original 3 Ohio plants closed.

The Aarons and Wells have passed on the business to their children over the years, and now 5th generation family members are running the company. Through the years the company has prospered, creating innovative lines such as Fiestaware (now celebrating its 75th anniversary in existence since its introduction in 1936), and lead free china (introduced in the early 1980's). When cheaper imported dinnerware began arriving in the U.S. in the 1950's, many pottery companies did not survive. Homer Laughlin refocused their production efforts to providing for hotels and restaurants. Keeping up with technological changes, Homer Laughlin was an industry leader in both the retail and foodservice china industries when the new millenium came in 2000.

Superior Products Restaurant Equipment and Supplies is proud to sell many Homer Laughlin China Company patterns, including Fiestaware. Our china is stocked in our restaurant supply warehouses, and orders are fulfilled and shipped out within one business day. Quality American made products that have stood the test of time; it's good to know that Homer Laughlin china is made in the USA!