Lodge Manufacturing Company is an American manufacturer of cast-iron cookware based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge, Lodge Manufacturing is one of America's oldest cookware companies in continuous operation. It is still owned and managed by the descendants of the Lodge family. Most cast iron sold by Lodge is produced in its foundry in South Pittsburg, which has been in operation since the company was founded.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cookware |
| Founded | 1896 |
| Founder | Joseph Lodge |
| Headquarters | South Pittsburg, Tennessee, United States |
Key people | Mike Otterman, CEO[1] |
| Website | www.lodgemfg.com |
History
editJoseph Lodge traveled the US before going to work on the railroads in Cuba, before returning to Tennessee. Joseph built the Lodge Family home in 1877 and then open their first foundry in 1896 named the Blacklock Foundry.[2]
In 1910, the Blacklock Foundry burned down and when Joseph Lodge rebuilt, he re-named the company, Lodge Manufacturing.[2][3]
Lodge Manufacturing is one of America's oldest cookware companies in operation. Joseph Lodge and his wife settled in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, a town of 3,000 people along the Tennessee River beside the Cumberland Plateau.[4][5] The Lodge family has kept in Marion County in Tennessee and employing its residents. The towns population at 3,100, 400 of which are employed by Lodge.[citation needed]
In the late 1950s–1965 Lodge transferred its molding and casting process to a revolutionary automated system. In 1973, their iconic recognizable logo was created and is still used today.[citation needed]
In 2002, Lodge became the first cast-iron cookware manufacturer to season their products in the foundry.[6][7]
In 2013, Lodge started their carbon steel cookware line making high-quality carbon steel cookware.[8] Lodge introduced a line of enameled cast-iron cookware in 2005; this was to match the ability of European manufacturers' abilities.
In 2017, Lodge opened their second foundry, increasing their manufacturing capacity by 75%.[9] The facility is a 127,000-square-foot foundry, which increased production by 75%. The foundry is located in New Hope, Tennessee.[2]
In July 2019, Lodge unveiled seven new cast-iron cookware products under the label Blacklock, a new lighter gourmet line of skillets and ovens.[10] In August 2019, Lodge announced the acquisition of startup FINEX Cast Iron Cookware, based in Portland, Oregon.[11][12]
The Lodge Museum of Cast Iron, built in collaboration with the Southern Foodways Alliance,[13] opened in October 2022.[14]
Products
editOriginal cast-iron cookware was made using sand and building the mold within the sand. Workers would then pour in iron.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lillo, Andrea. "Mike Otterman Takes on CEO Role at Lodge".
- ^ a b c d "The History of Lodge Manufacturing - A Seasoned Business". www.familybusinessmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ Iron, Southern Cast (2019-06-25). "Blacklock Foundry: A Tale of Fire & Family - Southern Cast Iron". Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "The Best Dutch Oven is Affordable and Made Right Here in the South". www.yahoo.com. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "Lodge Cast Iron". THE BITTER SOUTHERNER. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
- ^ "History". Lodge Cast Iron. 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
- ^ Tierney, Kathie (2018-01-24). "Lodge Cast Iron – the oldest family-owned cookware company in the country". Jackson County Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "In-Depth Product Review of Lodge Carbon Steel 12-inch Skillet (CRS12)". www.centurylife.org. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
- ^ gcep (2021-10-26). "Lodge Manufacturing Company to Expand to Marion County Operations". Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Lodge introduces lighter gourmet cast iron cookware under original Blacklock Foundry name". timesfreepress.com. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "Lodge Makes First Acquisition with Portland Cast Iron Brand". Home Furnishings News. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "Major cast iron maker acquires Portland startup". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "We Toured the New Lodge Cast Iron Museum. Here's Why It's Worth a Visit". Country Living. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ^ Moore, Courtney (10 October 2022). "World's largest cast iron skillet ready for museum visitors". New York Post. Retrieved 5 October 2023.