Our History

Daniel J. O'Conor, while working at Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company (Westinghouse), files a patent application for a process to make laminated insulators. O'Conor and Herbert A. Faber leave Westinghouse and, with Banker John G. Tomlin, join partnership as "Formica Products Company". The partners plan to produce commutator V-rings, in which laminate replaces mica. The company's first order was placed by Chaimers Motor Company.

The Formica Insulation Company makes first contact with the infant radio industry and develops communications components for the U.S Navy and Signal Corps.

During the 1920s radios were often assembled at home from kits, with exteriors made of polished Formica^® brand laminate in black or brown.

Formica^® is registered for the first time as a trademark.

The company creates the first decorative laminate using amino resins and an opaque barrier sheet to block the dark interior. This signifies the beginning of a shift in focus from industrial to decorative products.

A cigarette-proof laminate is invented by adding a layer of metal foil, paving the way for laminate to be used on tabletops in popular soda fountains, cafes, night clubs and restaurants.

Formica^® laminate is used at Radio City, Manhattan. The interiors of ocean liners, zeppelins, and railroad cars are covered in Formica laminate as are the stations, lobbies and lounges.

Formica^® laminate is installed in bathrooms, doctors' quarters, and the clothes washing facilities of Cunard's ocean liner RMS Queen Mary when it begins service.

Industrial designer Brooks Stevens designs Formica Group’s first graphic invention, the still iconic 'Skylark' pattern.

A production facility is set up in Kolho, Finland - Formica IKI Oy was founded in 1952.
De Le Rue reports that the use of Formica laminate has expanded considerably internationally as the recognised material for equipping a modern kitchen.

New postforming techniques allow fabricators to bend and shape the laminate edges with curves.

Skylark pattern is renamed 'Boomerang'.

In the late 1970s, Formica Corporation establishes the Design Advisory Board (DAB). A group of influential architects and designers are tasked with bringing Formica brand laminate out of the 60s and into the present.

The U.S Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks to cancel the Formica brand trademark, charging that the word 'Formica' has become a generic term. This action creates an uproar in the business community which views this as an attempt to eradicate the function of trademarks in the economy. Ultimately the FTC's action was dropped.

The company introduces ColorCore^®, Formica Group's patented through-colour laminate line.

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary, Formica Group publishes the book 'Formica and Design: From the Counter Top to High Art' by Susan Grant Lewin.

Formica Group introduces an International collection of Metal laminates.

The rapidly growing Formica Metallics range is rebranded as Formica DecoMetal

All plants producing Formica brand laminate around the world achieve GREENGUARD^® Indoor Air Quality certification.

Formica Group becomes the first laminate manufacturer in the world to be awarded the Carbon Trust's Carbon Reduction Label. Formica Magnetic laminate is launched. Formica Group buys Homapal Plattenwerk GmBH, a specialist metallic laminate producer.

Formica^® Brand celebrates 100 years with the book ‘Formica Forever’.

The launch of Formica Infiniti^®, an enduring matte laminate, and the addition of 20 new decors to the TrueScale range. Formica Group invests £40 million into staff and facilities in the UK plant and head office.

Aria^® range of colour-through compact worktops is launched in the UK, providing the look and performance of stone with the durability of laminate. Available in full sheets Europewide through ColorCore^® Compact range.

Formica Group became part of the f the €1bn+ global materials division of Broadview Holding alongside other well-known companies.

Formica Group UK Showroom opens in the heart of London.

Formica Group celebrates 110 years of laminate design and launches the book ‘Beyond Boomerang: A celebration of 110 years of Formica Patterns’.