Homer Laughlin China Company
| Private | |
| Industry | Ceramics |
| Founded | 1871 (as Laughlin Pottery) |
| Headquarters | Newell, West Virginia |
| Website | www.hlcdinnerware.com/ |
The Homer Laughlin China Company is an American pottery company based in Newell, West Virginia, which is best known for producing the Fiesta line of dinnerware.
The Homer Laughlin China Company initially began as Laughlin Pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio. The company was started in 1871 by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin, however Shakespeare would later leave the company in 1879. In 1889, William Edwin Wells joined Homer and seven years later the two would incorporate. Homer would sell his interest to Wells shortly thereafter. The firm experienced rapid growth and opened a facility in Newell, West Virginia in 1903. By the late 1920s all production was centered at the West Virginia factory and the Ohio site was abandoned.
"Peak production for the company was in 1948 when they produced 10,129,449 dishes."
In 2010, Homer Laughlin purchased Hall China As of 2015 the company continues to manufacture all of its products in the United States. A visitor center, museum, and factory outlet are maintained at its headquarters.
In the 1920s the firm advertised itself as the largest pottery company in the world. Estimates of production range from 25,000 to 35,000 different patterns since production started.
Fiesta
Homer Laughlin began producing the popular and colorful Fiesta line of dinnerware in 1936. Fiesta dinnerware continued to be produced through the late 1960s, with a number of new colors offered before the entire line was phased out in 1973. Fiesta was re-introduced by the company in 1986, and remains in production to this day. The new Fiesta line contains a number of pieces produced from the original molds, as well as brand new pieces designed for modern day use. Like the original line, the current day production features an evolving number of colors.
Other Retail Lines
In addition to Fiesta, two other lines of colorful dinnerware in bright, solid-colored glazes were introduced in the 1930s. Harlequin was introduced in 1938 as a less expensive alternative to Fiesta available at Woolworth's stores. They also produced Riviera dinnerware [1938], which is distinctive for its triple-scalloped edges. Riviera was available in red, yellow, light green, mauve blue, ivory [during the war] and occasionally cobalt blue. Production of Riviera ended circa 1948-49. Harlequin was produced until 1964 and was briefly reintroduced in 1979 for the 100th anniversary of Woolworth's .
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