Cangshan Cutlery Company, which in recent years has established itself as a resource for premium-quality, Chinese-produced cutlery, is preparing to expand its manufacturing base stateside with a forthcoming factory in Austin, Texas.
Henry Liu, founder, president and CEO of Cangshan Cutlery Company, said he had his sights set on a potential American cutlery factory as he was laying the groundwork for the launch of the Cangshan retail business several years ago. Cangshan was rooted in food service before the retail rollout.
“I put this on the list on day one,” Liu said of the U.S. factory plan. His goal predated the rise of such issues as tariffs and pandemic-fueled supply chain disruptions that have challenged Chinese imports. “It’s has been a long-term plan,” he said.
Texas Facility
Liu said the Texas factory will be a ground-up build, not a warehouse conversion. Cangshan plans to break ground on the cutlery facility during the second quarter of 2022 on a timetable to begin production there within 18 months. He cited the pro-business environment of the Austin area as a key attraction.
The Texas facility, Liu said, will make select Cangshan cutlery lines that can benefit from advanced automated production technology to help control costs without compromising quality. Upon completion of the Texas factory, the company will continue to produce lines in China because of lower costs required to serve multiple retail channels.
A new factory in China will help support global distribution, Liu added. Cangshan is also developing a line of cutlery to be made in Solingen, Germany, known for its long legacy of premium steel and cutlery manufacturing.
Henry Liu, President & CEO, Cangshan
The Texas facility, Liu said, will make select Cangshan cutlery lines that can benefit from advanced automated production technology to help control costs without compromising quality.
Liu said Cangshan’s U.S. retail growth has been driven by a strategy to serve an expanding base of retail customers — including a growing online presence — with the company’s diversified cutlery collections. The company is focused on what Liu termed the better-best segments of the retail market in which Cangshan can showcase its award-winning, high-end design and quality at attractive pricepoints.
Partnership with Thomas Keller
The company’s partnership with award-winning chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller in 2018 has further highlighted Cangshan’s progress as a resource for premium cutlery design, materials and manufacturing. The Cangshan Thomas Keller Signature Collection is a top-tier program encompassing 15 models for high-end specialty retailers.
Personnel Changes
Liu has supported Cangshan’s expansion plan by reinforcing the company’s sales and marketing organization during the past year with veterans of the premium retail cutlery business. Todd Meyers and Adam Fischer, both formerly of Wusthof, joined Cangshan as vice president, sales and vice president, brand, respectively. Lauren Soules, also formerly with Wusthof, joined Cangshan as director, e-commerce.
New Cutlery Collections
Cangshan will showcase four new Chinese-produced cutlery collections for 2022 at The Inspired Home Show.
Olive features Swedish Sandvik Steel and an Olivewood handle. The line is offered in open stock and block sets.
Three new collections made from X-7 Japanese steel are Kita, with a Pakka wood handle; Yari, with a gray Pakka wood handle; and Haku, with an African Blackwood handle. Each of the lines is offered in open stock (including magnetized, custom-fit, wood sheaths) and block sets.
As a pricing reference, an 8-inch chef’s knife in each of the new collections retails for $129.99.
