Stanley K. Cheng
Encyclopedia
Stanley K. Cheng is the CEO of Meyer Corporation
and Director of Meyer Manufacturing Co. Ltd., he is considered an innovator of cookware design with his development of the Circulon
and Anolon lines of cookware which married non-stick surfaces to hard-anodized aluminum with the patented "hi-low flavor release system" used with the Circulon line. Born 1948 in Hong Kong
he is one of seven children. He attended the University of Oregon
majoring in business but switched to engineering during the 1960's. He returned to Hong Kong in 1971 to take over the family aluminum manufacturing plant and converted it to cookware, releasing his first line in London
, England
in 1972. Distribution centers in Liverpool
, England
and Milwaukee, Wisconsin
followed in 1976 and 1980, respectively. In the 1980's he converted his factory to the production of nonstick cookware and in 1984 unveiled Circulon
, the first line of hard-anodized, nonstick cookware on the market.
When Circulon was introduced, the nonstick system was so unique in extending the durability of nonstick cookware that it was granted a patent. The unique Circulon Hi-Low surface made the pans at least three times more abrasion-resistant than any other nonstick cookware on the market. Anolon followed in 1986 as the first hard-anodized nonstick with a smooth cooking surface (and heavier-gauge aluminum than Circulon). Unfortunately, Cheng did not patent the hard-anodized nonstick process, which allowed competitors to develop similar products. He still develops unique technologies and pans for Meyer, including Infinite Circulon's impact-bonded base and the Anolon Outdoor BBQ Pan, respectively. Cheng won the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Housewares Charity Foundation in 2002.
In 1992, Cheng moved his family and main office of Meyer Corporation to Vallejo
, California
. Meyer Manufacturing is still based in Hong Kong. After his purchase of an 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) vineyard in Napa Valley, he has become involved in winemaking. Hestan Vineyards is a combination of his and his wife, Helen's, names.
Meyer Corporation
Meyer Corporation is a cookware distributor based in Vallejo, California, USA, whose parent company is Meyer Manufacturing Co. Ltd. It is the largest cookware distributor in the United States and second largest in the world. Cookware labels or lines for which Meyer is the parent firm include...
and Director of Meyer Manufacturing Co. Ltd., he is considered an innovator of cookware design with his development of the Circulon
Circulon
Circulon is a name given to tough non-stick saucepans, frying pans and other cookware manufactured by Meyer. Circulon's non-stick coating is bonded to hard anodized aluminum which is twice as hard as stainless steel...
and Anolon lines of cookware which married non-stick surfaces to hard-anodized aluminum with the patented "hi-low flavor release system" used with the Circulon line. Born 1948 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
he is one of seven children. He attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
majoring in business but switched to engineering during the 1960's. He returned to Hong Kong in 1971 to take over the family aluminum manufacturing plant and converted it to cookware, releasing his first line in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1972. Distribution centers in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
followed in 1976 and 1980, respectively. In the 1980's he converted his factory to the production of nonstick cookware and in 1984 unveiled Circulon
Circulon
Circulon is a name given to tough non-stick saucepans, frying pans and other cookware manufactured by Meyer. Circulon's non-stick coating is bonded to hard anodized aluminum which is twice as hard as stainless steel...
, the first line of hard-anodized, nonstick cookware on the market.
When Circulon was introduced, the nonstick system was so unique in extending the durability of nonstick cookware that it was granted a patent. The unique Circulon Hi-Low surface made the pans at least three times more abrasion-resistant than any other nonstick cookware on the market. Anolon followed in 1986 as the first hard-anodized nonstick with a smooth cooking surface (and heavier-gauge aluminum than Circulon). Unfortunately, Cheng did not patent the hard-anodized nonstick process, which allowed competitors to develop similar products. He still develops unique technologies and pans for Meyer, including Infinite Circulon's impact-bonded base and the Anolon Outdoor BBQ Pan, respectively. Cheng won the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Housewares Charity Foundation in 2002.
In 1992, Cheng moved his family and main office of Meyer Corporation to Vallejo
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Meyer Manufacturing is still based in Hong Kong. After his purchase of an 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) vineyard in Napa Valley, he has become involved in winemaking. Hestan Vineyards is a combination of his and his wife, Helen's, names.
Hestan label
- Hestan Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Hestan Vineyards California Chardonnay
Meyer label
- Meyer Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Meyer Vineyard California Chardonnay