Vita Craft Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cookware |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Headquarters | Shawnee, Kansas, U.S. |
Key people | Mamoru Imura, CEO |
Number of employees | 100[1] |
| Parent | Imura International USA Inc. |
| Website | www.VitaCraft.com |
Vita Craft Corporation is a manufacturer of multi-ply stainless steel cookware and other cookware products.[2] The cookware is manufactured and sold in the United States, but the majority of sales are from the Asian and European markets.[3] Japan alone accounts for about 80% of Vita Craft's revenue.[4] In Asia and Europe, Vita Craft is sold in department stores. In the United States, Vita Craft is sold door-to-door, at food-related events and conventions using a direct selling model. Imura International USA Inc. is the parent company of Vita.[5]
History and focus
The company was founded in 1939 after research and development by two cookware specialists from Seattle University and University of Wisconsin. The company was purchased in 2002 by the owner of their Japanese distributor, Mamoru Imura, and Imura International USA became Vita's parent company.[5]
Vita Craft's cookware is stainless steel with an aluminum core. The "vapor seal" lids are designed to prevent heat and moisture from escaping when the lid is secured, which results in "waterless" cooking. According to the company, waterless cooking requires less heat and less pressure, while more vitamins and minerals are retained in the food. In addition, some pans are manufactured with multiple layers of metal to distribute heat more evenly in cooking.[6][7][non-primary source needed]
In 1966, Vita Craft Corporation wanted to expand their facilities to the land that housed a jail built in 1843. As a result, a group of citizens formed the Shawnee Historical Society and moved the jail to Shawnee Town, where it stands today.[8]
Lawsuit
In November 2017 Imura International USA Inc, the parent company of Vita, filed a lawsuit accusing Circuitlab Inc of infringing on its patents for cookware that can communicate with the stove it is cooking on to control the temperature automatically. Imura says it holds four patents for this technology.
Bankruptcy
On November 1, 2019, Vita Craft Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing assets up to $7,843,679 and debts up to $2,698,042.[4] 2018 revenue was stated to be $3.34 million, which was a decrease of 36% from 2017 revenue of $5.21 million.[4]
See also
- RFIQin, an automatic induction cooking system, which continually monitors the temperature of food and adjusts the heating characteristics accordingly.
References
- ^ David Dinell (2004-05-26). "Three Wichita businesses finalists in statewide competition". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
- ^ "Brand Details for Brand Name: Vita Craft Made in U.S.A." Find Owner Search. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ "Valentine Radford takes Vita Craft as new client". Kansas City Business Journal. 2002-03-07. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
"Vita Craft makes high-end cookware that is largely sold in Japan and parts of Europe.
- ^ a b c "The week in bankruptcies: Vita Craft Corp. and Hank Boy & Sons Trucking LLC". Kansas City Business Journal. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
- ^ a b Dornbrook, James (3 November 2017). "Shawnee company: Competitor stole our smart frying pan design". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
- ^ "無水調理が出来る鍋, vita craftとは" (in Japanese). 料理にアケクレ Translation to English. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
- ^ "Our Outstanding Features". Vita Craft Corporation. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Landmarks of Shawnee Coverlet". City of Shawnee. Archived from the original on 2007-02-03. Retrieved 2007-02-28.