History of the Formica® Brand

For more than 100 years, the story of the Formica^® Brand has been one of discovery and innovation. The Formica^® Brand is an iconic name inextricably linked to the invention of the original High Pressure Laminate (HPL).

Our founders, electrical engineers Daniel J. O’Conor and Herbert A. Faber discover that high pressure plastic resins can be used to make electrical parts, replacing the mineral mica, and establish the Formica Products Company in 1913. As they search for a substitute “for” an insulation material “mica,” they coin the name “Formica,” which becomes our first trademark in 1922.

By 1930, the company begins to make the shift from industrial applications to decorative laminate products.

Colourful, durable Formica® Brand Laminate becomes a popular choice for the interiors of cafes and nightclubs, as well as railway cars and luxury ocean liners like the RMS Queen Mary. Radio City Music Hall features an extensive and influential installation. But as the U.S. enters World War II, The Formica Insulation Company pivots to focus on military production through the war’s end.

During the post-war boom, sales of Formica® Brand Laminate reach $24 million and the company advertises vigorously to promote designs such as Brooks Stevens and Associates’ iconic “Skylark” pattern. Raymond Loewy Associates creates the company’s “Sunrise” line.

Formica® Brand Laminate becomes a symbol of modern lifestyles and the company begins to build a worldwide presence, starting with the 1964 World’s Fair House display. Formica Corporation also continues to emphasize design, establishing the Design Advisory Board and organizing “Surface and Ornament,” an exhibition of ColorCore® Laminate artwork that debuts at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Mirroring the economic climate of the 1980s and 1990s, Formica Corporation experiences multiple changes in leadership during this volatile period. The company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 1988 and continues to expand its international reach, such as the creation of Formica Canada Inc., and launch innovative new products that target both the residential and commercial markets.

Formica Group becomes the largest player in its industry worldwide. The company also reaches significant goals toward becoming a “greener” enterprise, becoming the first laminate company to achieve GREENGUARD Certification for indoor air quality.  

In 2009, Formica Group introduces 180fx® Laminate. These high-resolution patterns give homeowners large-scale, highly realistic exotic granite and stone looks at an affordable price point. In 2012, Formica Corporation is awarded the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction label, an industry first.

Formica® Brand marks 100 years with the launch of a book and celebrations around the globe. To commemorate the centennial event, Formica Group hires the design firm Pentagram to co-create an Anniversary Collection of patterns and refresh the company’s logo.

The company introduces HardStop® Decorative Protection Panels, high-performance wall panels with a fiberglass core for added durability, strength and fire resistance. Formica Group is acquired by Broadview Holding, a Netherlands-based industrial holding with a significant presence in material technology and energy.

With the acquisition of Formica Group, Broadview and Formica Group strengthen their position as global leaders in surface materials. At this time, Formica Group begins using life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to capture the details of the full environmental footprint of products and determine steps for reducing CO2 emissions.

Formica Group’s manufacturing plants in Cincinnati, Ohio, and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, rely on 100% renewable electricity to power operations.

Formica Corporation celebrates its 110th anniversary with monthly pattern retrospectives and a new book, “Beyond Boomerang.” The book celebrates 110 years of Formica® Brand Patterns and the Formica Group designers, innovation teams and outside creative partners who created them, as well as the inspired interiors where they’ve been installed. 

Hundreds of Formica^® Brand samples and brochures become part of the National Building Museum’s new permanent collection, VISIBLE VAULT: Open Collections Storage. The exhibit showcases artifacts that tell the story of the evolution of architecture and design materials in the U.S.