The Homer Laughlin China Company has appointed Mariko Sakurai its new central regional sales manager. Sakurai has more than 25 years’ experience in sales and purchasing in the foodservice industry, most recently serving as national accounts manager for the western region for EveryWare Global/Oneida/Anchor Hocking. Her previous experience in foodservice and, in particular, the tabletop industry is well-aligned with the position.
Responsible for the entirety of a dozen states and parts of two more, Sakurai’s territory stretches from Texas all the way to North Dakota. She will be working closely with regional representative groups and directly with chains and independent restaurants to drive sales for all Homer Laughlin dinnerware lines as well as The Hall China Company lines of serving ware, cookware, accessories, and completer items. Together, The Homer Laughlin China Company and The Hall China Company form HLC.
An excellent asset
“Mariko is an accomplished sales manager with extensive national accounts experience,” said Scott Gibbs, director of sales. “She blends skills in marketing and sales with a background in purchasing, and we think this combination makes her an excellent asset to Homer Laughlin and our customers. She has an uncanny knack for understanding customer needs — and then solving them.”
A longtime resident of the western half of the United States, Sakurai earned a business degree from California State University at East Bay and currently resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas.
Further details:
The Homer Laughlin China Company, founded in 1871, is the largest domestic tableware manufacturer in the United States, employing over 800 skilled craftsmen in a 37-acre facility. Together, the Homer Laughlin China Company and Hall China are the HLC Inc. family of companies. HLC’s diverse range of lead-free commercial dinnerware meets every conceivable need for today’s discerning chefs and restaurateurs. Setting the tone — not just the table — is at the heart of the HLC commitment to its customers. For more information, please contact HLC Inc., 672 Fiesta Drive, Newell, WV 26050. Phone: (800) 452-4462. Fax: (800) 533-8918. Web: www.hlcdinnerware.com Email: hlc@hlchina.com.
