The West Bend Company got started in 1911 manufacturing aluminum goods. In a span of ten years it branched off to include cookware and small kitchen appliances, becoming one of the most recognized small appliance brands worldwide. Located at West Bend, Wisconsin the company became best known for its aluminum cookware and electrical appliances,
In 2003 The West Bend Company was acquired by Focus Products Group, LLC, an investment and growth oriented holding company headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL, and renamed it West Bend Housewares. The home appliances unit of the West Bend Company is now officially known as West Bend Housewares.
In early 2007, Focus Products Group acquired Back to Basics Products, an inventive housewares company based out of Utah. Back to Basics was combined with West Bend Housewares to create Focus Electrics, a new leader in innovative kitchen appliances at competitive prices. The Popcorn maker is one of their most successful appliances.
