Where Is Made In Cookware Made? The Truth About Their Manufacturing

When 16 Michelin-starred restaurants, including prestigious establishments like Alinea and Le Bernardin, choose Made In Cookware for their kitchens, we can’t help but wonder where is Made In Cookware made. The answer spans across multiple countries, with a fascinating production network that delivers premium quality at surprisingly competitive prices.

In fact, since its founding in 2017 by Bradford Malt and Jake Kalick, Made In has established partnerships with family-owned factories across the United States and Europe. While their stainless steel cookware comes from Italy, their knives are crafted in France, and their non-stick cookware is manufactured in both the US and Italy. At half the price of competitors like All-Clad, with a 10-inch non-stick pan costing $109 compared to All-Clad’s $190, Made In has proven that premium cookware doesn’t require premium pricing.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore Made In’s global manufacturing locations, their quality standards, and how they maintain exceptional craftsmanship across different production facilities.

Made In’s Global Manufacturing Network

Based in Austin, Texas, Made In has built an impressive network of manufacturing partnerships that spans across multiple countries. Through strategic collaborations with family-owned factories, the company maintains strict quality control over its diverse product line.

Manufacturing facilities across 4 continents

Made In partners with manufacturers in six key countries: the United States, Italy, France, England, Sweden, and Hungary. Each manufacturing location specializes in specific product categories, chosen for their historical expertise and cultural significance in crafting particular types of cookware.

The company’s approach focuses on working with small, family-owned factories that have deep roots in their respective crafts. Moreover, Made In actively invests in these facilities, fostering mutual growth and development. This partnership model ensures both parties benefit from shared success and continuous improvement.

Key production hubs and specialties

Each manufacturing location brings unique expertise to Made In’s product lineup:

• Italy: Home to Made In’s stainless steel cookware production and portions of their non-stick cookware line
• France: Produces kitchen knives in Thiers (a region so dedicated to knife-making that even highway signs feature knife drawings), along with bakeware, copper cookware, and enameled cast iron pieces
• United States: Manufactures non-stick cookware alongside Italian facilities
• Sweden: Specializes in seasoned carbon steel pans and grill presses
• England: Creates all dinnerware items, particularly in Stoke-on-Trent, a region historically known as “The Potters”
• Hungary: Crafts wooden products, such as spoons, butcher blocks, and rolling pins

Additionally, all manufacturing facilities adhere to the highest US and EU food safety standards. The company’s commitment to quality extends beyond mere production – they source premium raw materials, predominantly using stainless steel, copper, and aluminum for their exceptional heat conductivity and durability.

Through these carefully selected manufacturing partnerships, Made In maintains control over every aspect of production. Each facility undergoes rigorous oversight to ensure consistency in quality across all product lines. Furthermore, the company’s investment in these manufacturing partnerships has enabled them to scale production while maintaining the artisanal quality that sets their products apart.

The strategic placement of manufacturing facilities also allows Made In to leverage generations of expertise in specific cookware categories. For instance, their choice to produce knives in Thiers, France, taps into centuries of knife-making tradition, ensuring each piece benefits from time-tested craftsmanship techniques.

This distributed manufacturing approach enables Made In to maintain competitive pricing without compromising on quality. By partnering with specialized facilities across different regions, they can optimize production costs while ensuring each item meets their exacting standards.

Product-Specific Manufacturing Locations

The precision of Made In’s manufacturing process stems from their strategic placement of production facilities. Each location specializes in specific product categories, ensuring the highest quality through generations of expertise.

Stainless steel cookware production

Made In’s stainless steel collection comes exclusively from Italy. The raw materials originate from Kentucky and Pennsylvania, undergoing rigorous quality control before reaching the Italian craftsmen. These artisans apply their expertise to create the signature 5-ply construction that has earned recognition from over 1,500 restaurants.

Carbon steel manufacturing

The company’s carbon steel products showcase a unique distribution of manufacturing expertise. Unseasoned carbon steel pieces are crafted in France, whereas seasoned carbon steel pans emerge from Swedish facilities. French artisans have perfected these pieces to combine the non-stick properties of cast iron with the maneuverability of stainless steel.

Non-stick cookware facilities

Made In’s non-stick cookware production spans across multiple locations. The manufacturing takes place in both the United States and Italy, with specific American facilities located in Wisconsin and Tennessee. The non-stick surfaces originate from Illinois, incorporating multiple layers of professional-grade coating without PFOA, ensuring 100% non-toxic cookware.

Knife and cutlery crafting locations

The knife production story centers in Thiers, France, where fifth-generation bladesmiths craft each piece. These artisans create full tang and fully forged knives from a single rod of X50CrMoV15 stainless steel. The process involves:

• Treating the metal with nitrogen to prevent corrosion and enhance hardness
• Hand-applying resin handles in the French factory
• Ensuring every component, including rivets, originates from France

The historical significance of Thiers as a knife-making hub runs deep – even the local highway signs feature knife drawings. This heritage, combined with modern manufacturing techniques, results in perfectly balanced blades that meet professional standards.

Beyond these core products, Made In maintains selective manufacturing partnerships for specialized items. Their bakeware emerges from French facilities with over 200 years of expertise. The only exception to their European and American manufacturing network is their silicone universal lid, produced in China.

Through these carefully selected manufacturing locations, Made In maintains strict control over production quality while honoring centuries-old crafting traditions. Each facility adheres to the highest US and EU food safety standards, ensuring consistent quality across their entire product range.

Quality Standards Across Manufacturing Sites

Quality control stands at the heart of Made In’s manufacturing philosophy. Through rigorous material selection and comprehensive oversight, the company maintains exceptional standards across its global production network.

Material sourcing requirements

Raw material selection forms the foundation of Made In’s quality assurance process. The company sources premium materials from specific regions, ensuring each component meets strict specifications. Their stainless steel cookware, notably, incorporates 18/10 grade steel – the highest available grade with superior durability and strength.

The five-layer construction of their stainless cookware demonstrates this commitment to material excellence:

• Pure aluminum core
• Aluminum alloy layers
• 18/10 stainless steel exterior
• Ferritic 430 steel for induction compatibility

This careful material selection extends beyond the primary cooking surfaces. Every component, from handles to rivets, undergoes thorough inspection before entering the production process. The company’s direct-to-consumer model enables greater investment in premium raw materials, eliminating middlemen costs typically associated with traditional retail channels.

Production process oversight

Made In implements comprehensive quality control measures throughout their manufacturing process. Each piece of cookware passes through multiple inspection stages:

1. Initial Material Verification
   • Raw material purity testing
   • Composition analysis
   • Strength assessment
2. Production Quality Checks
   • Dimensional accuracy verification
   • Heat distribution testing
   • Structural integrity evaluation
3. Final Product Inspection
   • Leak testing
   • Pressure resistance verification
   • Surface finish examination

The company maintains strict oversight through partnerships with third-party inspection facilities. These independent auditors help maintain consistent quality standards across all manufacturing locations, regardless of geographical location or product type.

Made In’s quality assurance extends beyond physical testing. Their collaboration with over 2,000 restaurants provides real-world feedback on product performance. This practical input helps refine manufacturing processes and identify potential improvements.

As the company continues to scale, they’ve implemented additional quality control measures. Similar to a restaurant expanding from 50 to 400 covers per night, Made In has developed sophisticated processes to maintain consistency at higher production volumes. They’ve begun bringing certain quality assurance functions in-house while maintaining strong relationships with their manufacturing partners.

The company’s commitment to quality manifests in several key areas:

• Rigorous material testing protocols
• Multi-stage inspection processes
• Independent third-party verification
• Regular production audits
• Continuous improvement based on professional feedback

This comprehensive approach to quality control ensures that every piece of Made In cookware meets the exacting standards of professional kitchens. Their focus on premium materials, combined with stringent oversight, results in cookware that consistently performs at the highest level while maintaining durability and safety standards.

The emphasis on quality extends to food safety considerations as well. Each manufacturing facility adheres to strict hygiene protocols, ensuring all food contact surfaces maintain their integrity without compromising safety or performance. This attention to detail helps prevent common issues like pitting or surface degradation that could affect food safety.

Manufacturing Partnerships and Expertise

Behind Made In’s exceptional cookware lies a network of skilled artisans whose expertise spans generations. The company’s success stems from its deep-rooted connections with heritage manufacturers across the globe.

Collaboration with heritage manufacturers

Made In’s foundation rests upon a century-old legacy in kitchen supply, dating back to 1929. Through these extensive industry connections, the company has forged partnerships with multigenerational manufacturers who share their commitment to excellence.

In Thiers, France, Made In collaborates with a seventh-generation knife maker named Pascal. This partnership exemplifies their approach to working with heritage manufacturers – seeking out craftsmen whose families have perfected their trade over centuries.

The company’s bakeware production showcases another remarkable collaboration, utilizing a 202-year-old recipe preserved by artisans in France’s Loire Valley. These partnerships extend beyond mere manufacturing agreements; they represent a fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.

Expert craftsmen relationships

Made In’s artisanal network includes specialized craftsmen across various disciplines:

• The Rodríguez Cocula brothers in Guadalajara – masters of volcanic stone crafting
• Fifth-generation knife artisans in Thiers, France
• Expert china makers in Stoke-on-Trent, England, continuing a tradition since the 1600s
• Skilled enamel cast iron craftsmen in Northeast France, practicing their art since the 1920s

These relationships enable Made In to maintain exceptional quality across their product lines. Instead of relying solely on modern manufacturing techniques, they leverage centuries of accumulated knowledge passed down through generations of craftsmen.

Training and skill development

Made In’s commitment to craftsmanship extends beyond production. At their Selma, Texas distribution center, they’ve developed an innovative approach to skill transfer. Their operators become so proficient that they train incoming staff, creating a self-sustaining cycle of expertise.

The company maintains close ties with over 2,000 restaurants worldwide, incorporating their feedback into product development and refinement. This collaborative approach ensures their cookware meets the exacting standards of professional kitchens while remaining accessible to home cooks.

The institutional knowledge sharing flows both ways. Made In depends on their manufacturing partners’ engineering expertise, design insights, and quality assurance practices. Simultaneously, they contribute modern innovations and market understanding, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties.

Through these partnerships, Made In has established a unique position in the cookware industry. By eliminating middlemen and investing directly in manufacturing relationships, they channel resources into sourcing premium materials and maintaining the highest production standards. Each piece of cookware passes through the hands of artisans who have spent generations perfecting their craft, ensuring exceptional quality in every product they create.

Future Manufacturing Expansion Plans

Made In’s rapid growth trajectory has sparked significant expansion in their manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The company’s success, marked by a remarkable 700% growth in 2020, has led to strategic developments across North America and beyond.

New facility developments

In January 2023, Made In unveiled their new distribution center in Texas. This facility represents a major milestone in their expansion strategy, operating alongside their existing fulfillment locations to ensure swift delivery across the continent. The impact has been immediate – the Texas facility now outperforms their third-party logistics partners in daily operations.

The company’s commitment to efficient distribution extends beyond U.S. borders. Through a partnership with a Canadian fulfillment center, Made In now offers:

• 2-5 day shipping across most of Canada
• Streamlined local returns for Canadian customers
• Dedicated customer support for the Canadian market

This expansion marks Made In’s first step toward broader international reach, currently serving customers in over 70 countries. The company’s Austin headquarters, strategically chosen for its rich food culture and high talent density, continues to drive innovation in product development and distribution.

Production capacity increases

Made In’s manufacturing expansion focuses on meeting growing demand while maintaining their commitment to quality. The company has implemented several key initiatives:

1. Distribution Network Enhancement
   • Created a labor pool of 60 skilled operators at the Texas facility
   • Achieved consistent on-time, in-full order fulfillment even during peak demand periods
   • Established flexible staffing models to handle seasonal fluctuations
2. Strategic Growth Planning
   • Expanded sales operations to serve hospitality businesses and select wholesale partners
   • Developed specialized production capabilities for different product lines
   • Invested in workforce development and training programs

The company’s growth strategy emphasizes operational excellence alongside expansion. In 2022, Made In strengthened their leadership team by bringing in experts for key roles, including:

• Director of Growth Marketing
• VP of Product and Sourcing
• Business Development Manager
• Lead Designer

These strategic hires underscore Made In’s commitment to scaling their operations while maintaining product quality and innovation. The company’s focus on talent acquisition has been particularly crucial in areas where specialized expertise is needed for product development and sourcing.

Looking ahead, Made In continues to invest in their manufacturing partnerships across Europe and North America. Their expansion plans prioritize maintaining close relationships with heritage manufacturers while increasing production capacity to meet growing demand. This balanced approach ensures that as Made In expands its reach, the craftsmanship and quality that define their brand remain unchanged.

Conclusion

Made In’s journey from a startup in 2017 to a preferred cookware brand of Michelin-starred restaurants showcases their commitment to exceptional quality. Their strategic partnerships with heritage manufacturers across six countries ensure each product benefits from generations of expertise, whether it’s French knife makers or Italian stainless steel craftsmen.

While many premium cookware brands rely on a single manufacturing location, Made In’s distributed approach allows them to tap into specialized knowledge for each product category. This smart strategy results in professional-grade cookware at prices significantly lower than competitors, without compromising on quality standards.

Made In’s rapid growth and expansion plans point toward an exciting future. Their new Texas distribution center, alongside existing manufacturing partnerships, positions them perfectly to serve both professional chefs and home cooks. Most importantly, their dedication to working with family-owned factories and skilled artisans ensures that as they grow, the exceptional craftsmanship behind their products remains unchanged.