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Remembering Joseph Wells, Former Homer Laughlin CEO

Joseph Wells, former CEO of The Homer Laughlin China Company, passed away on March 12, 2019. He was 77 years old.

Joseph M WellsJoseph M WellsWells began his career at The Homer Laughlin China Company as a part-time worker in high school and college, starting full-time in 1963. He worked his way up to the sales department and then succeeded his father as executive vice president and general manager in 1986. In June 2002, he became CEO and president of the company. In 2013, he retired and became chairman of the board of directors.

Under Wells’ tenure, the company modernized its production facilities and decorating processes with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure high quality and efficiency. And in 2010 he oversaw the acquisition of Hall China, a chinaware manufacturer founded in 1904 and headquartered in his hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio.