At Regal Ware
We have been revolutionizing the kitchen since 1945

JO Reigle image

The strength of our past is the story of who we are today and the stepping stone to a fabulous future.”

- J.O. Reigle

1945 - A New Era Begins

James O. Reigle, along with L.N. Peterson and Edna Oster, purchased the Kewaskum Utensil Company, which was manufacturing shell casings. Two weeks after their purchase, WWII ended, so they retooled and started using the factory to produce stainless steel saucepans.

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.

1950s v2
1956

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.

1952 - Star-Studded Brands to Remember

Regal Ware's popularity soared in 1952 with an appearance on The Eddie Albert Show with none other than Betty White.

1965

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

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 - A Magical Decade

Regal Ware sparked a new era of innovation, bringing magic to stovetops and countertops with their latest kitchen essentials.

1970s

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.

Betty Crocker Partnership

1976 - Regal's Support for Scouts

Regal Ware’s continuous support of the Boy Scouts of America results in the production of over 5 million canteens, along with other essential Scout items.

1979

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
Classica Cookware

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.


Jeff Reigle

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.

1990s

2002 - Two Legacies, One Great Future

Regal Ware acquires The West Bend Company of West Bend, Wisconsin. West Bend was founded on September 27, 1911, by Bernhard Carl Ziegler. This merger solidifies West Bend’s place in the legacy of U.S. cookware manufacturing.

American Kitchen

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.

2011 - A Century Of USA Manufacturing

Regal Ware celebrates 100 years of manufacturing in West Bend and Kewaskum, Wisconsin.

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.

Espro French Press
SynergyOps

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.

Ryan Reigle

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."

- Ryan Reigle

2024 - A New Home

Regal Ware Holding Company moves to a new office in Milwaukee. The vibrant space reflects Regal Ware's commitment to innovation and excellence, fostering a dynamic environment for continued success.