About Formica

Company History

Formica Corporation was founded in 1913 by two researchers who discovered a better way to replace an existing product. Herbert A. Faber and Daniel J. O'Conor found that by using high pressure and plastic resins, high quality insulation materials for the booming electrical industry could be readily manufactured. Up until that point, other manufacturers were making the same products out of the minerals mica. Thus, Faber and O'Conor coined their products "Formica®".

In 1927, Formica patented a new and more efficient rotogravure printing process for making decorative, wood-grained or marble-surfaced laminate. Developed during months of trials by Formica's George H. Clark and Jack D. Cochrane, it was the first of many products that have made the name "Formica" virtually synonymous in the public mind with the stuff of which restaurant tables and kitchen countertops are made.

Steadily, through the late 1920s and into the 1930s, Formica improved the new product, testing different inks and resins, cores and surfaces, processes and methods. A key change was the adoption of the urea resins, permitting laminates that were less expensive to make, more resistant to light, heat and humidity, and capable of being manufactured in a wide range of colors and designs. In 1931, by putting an aluminum-foil layer between the core and surface, Formica engineers even developed a "cigarette-proof" surface that was widely used in New York's world famous Radio City Music Hall.

A new era began. Until then, Formica had been a company driven by chemistry and engineering. For 50 years, the technical experts had experimented with processes and materials, inventing new products and brainstorming new uses for old ones. In the 1970s, Formica came to be driven by design and aesthetics. The 1990s have brought new changes to the Formica brand product line. The company introduced Surell® Solid Surfacing, a newly developed and improved replacement for 2000X. In 1993, it launched Formica Ligna® wood surfacing, a product manufactured exclusively for Formica Corporation by Alpi S.p.A., the world's leading manufacturer of multi-laminar wood veneer.

Company Overview

  • More than 3,000 employees worldwide
  • 12 global plants
  • Distribution in over 100 countries

The global leader in decorative surfaces

Formica Corporation is the world's first manufacturer in High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and an established global leader in decorative surfaces such as solid surfacing, flooring and other decorative surfacing products.

With more than 90 years of excellence in product innovation and design, Formica Corporation have been setting the global benchmark for laminates ever since. Not surprisingly, we are the world’s trusted partner for decorative surfaces that are highly durable, versatile and aesthetically beautiful.

Globally certified for all Formica® Laminates

Our laminates are manufactured in strict accordance with the ISO 9001, ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 criteria and meet or exceed the performance requirements of ANSI/NEMA (National Electrical Manufactures Association) Standards, LD3-2000, European National Standards BS EN 438:1995 and International Standard ISO 4586-2 for high pressure decorative laminates.

As the first and original manufacturer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL), we work closely and constantly with the world leading designers, manufactures and forecasting bodies to develop newer and technologically superior products to ever-changing needs and sophisticated design trends.

Total Customer Satisfaction

Our commitment to providing continuous and total customer satisfaction for our clients in second to none. At Formica®, we only source for the finest raw material for North America and Europe so client can enjoy the best-in-class materials and a peace of mind for their needs.

Formica – Almost a century old manufacturer

A Global Brand Superior Quality Reliable Service Leadership in Design