Wright's own dinnerware lines were made by Homer Laughlin rival, Steubenville Pottery in nearby Steubenville, Ohio. Harlequin was produced until 1964 and was briefly reintroduced in 1979 for the Woolworth company's 100 year anniversary.Įpicure, a line based on popular colors and shapes of the 1950s was introduced in 1955, and was designed by a student of Russel Wright. Production of Riviera ended circa 1948–49. Riviera was available in red, yellow, light green, mauve blue, ivory and occasionally cobalt blue. They also produced Riviera dinnerware, which is distinctive for its triple-scalloped corners on a square shape. Harlequin was introduced in 1938 as a less expensive alternative to Fiesta, commissioned by and sold exclusively at Woolworth's stores. In addition to Fiesta, two other lines of colorful dinnerware in bright, solid-colored glazes were introduced in the 1930s. The retail division, including Fiestaware, along with the manufacturing operations and headquarters were not sold to Steelite and were subsequently renamed The Fiesta Tableware Company. In March 2020, the food service divisions of the two brands, Homer Laughlin China Company and the Hall China Company, were acquired by Steelite International, a British tableware manufacturer and supplier to the global hospitality industry. A visitor center, museum, and factory outlet are maintained at its headquarters. Īs of 2015 the company continues to manufacture all of its products in the United States. name the two brands are the sole potteries in the area. In 2010, Homer Laughlin purchased The Hall China Company in East Liverpool, and under the new HLC, Inc. Peak production for the company was in 1948 when they produced 10,129,449 dishes. By the late 1920s all production was centered at the West Virginia factory and the Ohio site was abandoned. The firm experienced rapid growth and opened a facility in Newell, West Virginia, in 1903.
Laughlin sold his interest to Wells shortly thereafter. In 1889 William Edwin Wells joined Laughlin, and seven years later they incorporated the company.
The company was started in 1871 by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin however, Shakespeare left the company in 1879. The visitor's entrance at the company's production plant in Newell, West Virginia.įiesta Tableware Company began as Laughlin Pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio.