Formica laminate

Formica laminate is an iconic surfacing material that pioneered the high-pressure laminate (HPL) industry. The brand was founded in 1913 by Herbert A. Faber and Daniel J. O'Conor in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were former Westinghouse engineers who originally developed the material as a substitute "for mica" (hence the name) to be used as electrical insulation. By the 1930s, the company shifted its focus toward decorative applications, leading to its widespread adoption in kitchens, diners, and furniture during the post-war era.

Over the decades, Formica underwent several ownership changes, including being owned by American Cyanamid and the New Zealand-based Fletcher Building. Since mid-2019, Formica Group has been a member of the Broadview Holding family, a Netherlands-based industrial holding company. Manufacturing remains a global operation, with major production facilities in North America (notably Cincinnati, Ohio and St. Jean, Quebec), Europe, and Asia (including India, China, and Taiwan).