The strength of our past is the story of who we are today and the stepping stone to a fabulous future.”
- J.O. Reigle
1950s - A Foundation in Excellence
1946: Edna Oster proposes a design change and adds the distinctive loop-style handle to the product line of the time.
1950: The product line rapidly expands to include a full range of high-quality aluminum cookware and electrics.
1951: The company’s corporate name is officially changed to Regal Ware Inc.
1955: Regal Ware revolutionizes the cookware industry with the introduction of colorful anodized accessories.
1956 - A Keen Focus on Direct Sales
Regal introduces stainless steel waterless cookware for direct sales. The Waterless Cooker was marketed as an economical option for preparing entire meals in a single pot. It was sold door-to-door by commissioned salespeople, a method that contributed to its rapid success.
1965
James D. Reigle is named president of Regal Ware.
“From the beginning of my tenure as president, my goal was to continue the company’s growth pattern under the philosophy expressed by my father, so that he would be proud of what his humble 1945 beginning had become.”
- J.D. Reigle
1960s - Grooving Through The Decade
1964: Regal Ware acquired Buckeye Aluminum Co. and subsequently rebranded their stackable picnic pack, which serves not only as a pan but also a tool for separating various foods and keeping them warm.
1965: The PolyPerk coffeemaker is introduced. In just a few short years, it becomes America's best-selling percolator.
1967: Regal Ware increases its aggressive growth plans by acquiring the housewares division of Norris Industries in Flora, Mississippi.
1969: The National Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Peoria, Illinois, becomes the third major acquisition.
1970s - Money-Go-Round
1970: Building on its lead in fashion cookware, Regal introduces decorative stripes to its wide selection of colored items.
1972: Regal Ware acquires a kettle manufacturing facility from Sunbeam Corporation, extending its manufacturing presence to Canada for the first time.
1973: Regal becomes a leader in drip coffeemakers, offering a full line of innovative solutions to coffee lovers worldwide. At the same time, it launches Mardi Gras fondue pots in various colors to meet the growing trend of fondue parties.
1970s - betty Endorsed
1976: Betty Crocker partners with Regal to produce a unique pattern of cast aluminum pots, pans, and fondue pots, offering them to fans of both brands.
1977: Regal introduces the Temp Tone® knob, a unique feature in direct sales cookware. In 1978 Regal Ware expands its Kewaskum production facility.
1979 - The Diamond of the Kitchen Comes to Regal Ware
Regal Ware proudly acquires Saladmaster, a renowned leader in cookware innovation, marking a significant milestone in its journey. From its modest inception in 1946, Saladmaster has been transforming lives through the creation of wholesome meals.
Established by Harry Lemmons in 1946, Saladmaster began with a humble salad-cutting machine, Harry's Cadillac, and a mere three salesmen, showcasing the remarkable growth and evolution that led to this acquisition.
1980s - Regal Ware's Strategic Acquisitions
1982: Regal Ware signs a joint venture with Moulinex SA of France, allowing Regal to add the LaMachine name and motor-driven appliances to its electric product offerings, expanding Regal Ware's presence in electrical appliances.
1984: Regal Ware purchases the Micro 21 microwave cookware line from the Massachusetts-based Raytheon Company.
1984: Standex Industries, including the Kitchen Fair® Division, is acquired by Regal Ware.
1980s Into the 90s - New Ventures and Culinary Innovation
1984: A joint venture agreement with Coronet Housewares, Inc. is signed to form Culinaire Regal of Quebec, Canada. In 1985 they purchased the remaining 50% and became Coronet Regal.
1985: Regal Ware is among the first to recognize the potential of automatic bread makers and introduces "The Bread Machine by Regal."
1991: Regal Ware creates Classica, a high-quality cookware brand made of multi-layered stainless steel, exclusively for the direct sales industry.
1992: Regal Ware doubles the size of the Jacksonville, Arkansas, manufacturing facility to more than 577,000 square feet, and the total square footage of manufacturing operations exceeds 1.2 million.
1992
Jeffrey A. Reigle assumes leadership of Regal Ware as President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Poised on the brink of the twenty-first century, with the one constant in people’s lives being change, consumers are looking for stability.”
- Jeff Reigle
1990s - A Focus on the Consumer
1995: Regal Ware celebrates 50 years with a fun new product, the Regal Pizza Pal electric pizza cutter.
1999: Regal Ware exits the entry-level retail cookware market and focuses sales and marketing efforts on cookware sold directly to consumers by direct sellers, a market that has remained a cornerstone of the company since its founding.
2001: Saladmaster breaks away from conventional cooking equipment with Versa Tec and the Versa Loc Detachable Handle System, ushering in an era of the complete kitchen system.
2009 - American Cookware for Every American
2009: Regal Ware launches American Kitchen Cookware, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand for the first time, with both a branded site and an Amazon storefront.
2010s - Pressing Into the Future
2017: Mirador Thermal Innovations, a high-performance heating solution, is acquired by Regal Ware.
2018: Regal Ware partners with Milk Street to develop two new cookware brands, including 1919.
2018: Regal Ware purchases ESPRO and re-enters the coffee and tea maker business, this time focusing on manual brewing.
2019: Regal Ware sells Kitchen Fair but continues to manufacture the cookware product in West Bend.
2021 - Manufacturing Takes on a New Name
SynergyOps becomes Regal Ware’s manufacturing division, located in West Bend and producing products used around the world.
2021
Ryan Reigle steps into the role of President and CEO of Regal Ware in March 2021.
"Inspired by our rich history, we are setting the course to build a brighter future. By leveraging The Regal Way, we provide the expertise needed to foster growth and unity across our family of brands, enriching lives, strengthening communities, and shaping a more vibrant tomorrow."