Who Makes Our Place Cookware? Find Out Here

Introduction

If you have ever stood in your kitchen staring at your colorful Always Pan and wondered, Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, you are certainly not alone. The brand has exploded in popularity over the past few years, showing up in gift guides, on social media feeds, and in the homes of home cooks who want both function and beauty. Our Place promises a simplified, non-toxic, and aesthetically pleasing cooking experience. But behind the sleek photos and clever marketing is a real supply chain, a team of founders, and a manufacturing partner that brings the products to life.

In this guide, we will answer the central question—Who Makes Our Place Cookware?—by exploring the company’s origins, its leadership, the factories that produce each pan, the materials used, and how the brand compares to others in the non-toxic cookware space. We will also provide practical step-by-step instructions for verifying authenticity and caring for your cookware, plus tips to extend its life. By the end, you will have a complete picture of the people and processes responsible for the pans on your stove.

Table of Contents

• What Is Our Place Cookware?
• Who Founded Our Place? The People Behind the Brand
• The Company: Our Place, Inc.
• Where Is Our Place Cookware Manufactured?
• Inside the Factory: How the Pans Are Made
• Materials and Supply Chain
• Is Our Place Cookware Made in the USA?
• How Our Place Compares to Other Cookware Brands
• How to Verify Authentic Our Place Cookware
• Step-by-Step: How to Care for Your Our Place Cookware
• Tips and Best Practices for Using Our Place
• Sustainability and Ethical Manufacturing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What Is Our Place Cookware?

Our Place is a modern cookware and kitchenware brand best known for the Always Pan, a single skillet marketed as a replacement for eight traditional pieces of cookware. The line has expanded to include the Perfect Pot, the Always Pan 2.0, knives, cutting boards, and dinnerware. The brand positions itself at the intersection of function, beauty, and health consciousness. When people ask Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, they are often curious whether it is a small artisan shop or a large corporation. The answer is nuanced: it is a purpose-driven company that designs in the United States and works with specialized manufacturing partners abroad.

The core philosophy is to simplify the kitchen. Instead of cluttered cabinets, Our Place promotes a minimalist approach with modular, stackable, and aesthetically pleasing items. The cookware features a ceramic nonstick coating derived from sand, not traditional PTFE (Teflon) or PFOA-laden chemicals. This positions the brand in the “non-toxic” cookware category alongside Caraway and GreenPan. The Always Pan includes a nesting steamer basket, a strainer lid, and a spoon rest, which illustrates the brand’s focus on multi-functionality.

Beyond the product, Our Place invests heavily in storytelling. Each colorway is inspired by cultural cuisines and communal dining—think “Spice” (a turmeric yellow), “Steam” (a sage green), and “Char” (a graphite black). That narrative is part of the brand identity crafted by its founders, which we will explore next. The company also regularly collaborates with chefs and cultural ambassadors to release limited-edition colors, further blurring the line between cookware and lifestyle accessory.

Who Founded Our Place? The People Behind the Brand

To understand Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, it helps to start with the humans who dreamed it up. Our Place was co-founded by Shiza Shahid, a Pakistani-American entrepreneur and social activist best known for co-founding the Malala Fund with Malala Yousafzai and her father. Shahid serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Our Place. She partnered with Amir Tehrani, who brings operational and supply-chain expertise, and a small team of designers, culinary experts, and former food-industry veterans.

Shahid has spoken in interviews about her motivation: she wanted to create products that bring families together around the table, reflecting her own heritage of communal meals. The company name itself—Our Place—signals a focus on shared spaces and inclusivity. While the founders are based in Los Angeles, they assembled a global team of engineers, material scientists, and factory partners to execute the vision. The founding team also includes individuals with experience at other direct-to-consumer success stories, which helped shape the brand’s digital-first go-to-market strategy.

It is important to note that the founders do not personally hand-cast each pan. Instead, they lead a company that oversees design, quality control, and brand experience. The actual physical production is handled by vetted manufacturing facilities, which we will detail later. However, the founders’ values—equity, sustainability, and cultural celebration—are embedded into the product specifications and supplier code of conduct.

The Company: Our Place, Inc.

Our Place operates as Our Place, Inc., a privately held corporation headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company functions as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand, selling primarily through its own website and select retail partners such as Nordstrom, Crate & Barrel, and occasionally pop-up shops in major cities. When evaluating Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, the legal entity is Our Place, Inc., which owns the intellectual property, designs, and supply chain contracts.

The business model is typical of modern DTC startups: design and marketing are kept in-house, while physical manufacturing is outsourced to specialized factories. This allows the company to scale quickly without owning heavy industrial equipment. Our Place has raised venture capital funding from mission-aligned investors to support growth, but it remains independent of larger conglomerates like Corelle Brands or Groupe SEB. The company has pursued B Corporation certification, signaling commitment to social and environmental performance. This corporate structure influences every decision, from the aluminum sourcing to the packaging materials.

Internally, the company is organized into departments for industrial design, ceramics engineering, brand marketing, and supplier relations. A dedicated quality assurance manager travels to the production facility regularly. So when you ask Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, part of the answer is this Los Angeles team that translates consumer feedback into product improvements for each new batch.

Where Is Our Place Cookware Manufactured?

The most common follow-up to Who Makes Our Place Cookware? is “Where is it made?” Our Place does not operate its own foundries in the United States. Instead, the cookware is manufactured in China, specifically in the Guangdong province region, which is a major hub for aluminum and ceramic cookware production. The company works with a family-owned factory that has decades of experience producing premium nonstick and ceramic-coated pots and pans for global brands.

This factory is not a faceless sweatshop; according to Our Place, it is a controlled environment with strict quality assurance protocols. The facility is ISO 9001 certified and undergoes regular third-party audits for labor practices and environmental compliance. By centralizing production in a region with mature supply chains for recycled aluminum and ceramic coatings, Our Place can maintain competitive pricing while hitting its material specifications. The province also has deep expertise in the specific spray-coating techniques required for a durable ceramic layer.

It is worth noting that “made in China” does not equate to low quality in the cookware world. Many high-end brands, including some lines of Cuisinart and T-fal, use Chinese manufacturing for certain components. Our Place’s differentiation lies in its design oversight and coating chemistry. The brand states that it chose the partner after visiting more than a dozen factories and evaluating their environmental footprint, worker treatment, and ability to meet tight tolerances.

Inside the Factory: How the Pans Are Made

To truly answer Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, we should look at the step-by-step process inside the partner factory. The production line combines automated casting with hand-finishing. Below is a detailed workflow based on the company’s published manufacturing overview.

The Manufacturing Workflow

1. Aluminum Preparation: Recycled aluminum ingots are melted and poured into molds to form the pan body. Our Place uses a heavy-gauge aluminum core for even heat distribution and reduced hot spots.
2. CNC Machining: The cast bodies are trimmed and smoothed using computer-controlled machines to ensure uniform thickness and a flat cooking surface. Tolerances are checked to within fractions of a millimeter.
3. Surface Treatment: The aluminum undergoes a sandblasting or micro-etching process to create a profile that helps the ceramic coating adhere. This step is critical for longevity.
4. Ceramic Coating Application: A water-based ceramic slurry is sprayed onto the cooking surface. This coating is derived from silica (sand) and is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. Multiple thin layers are applied for durability.
5. Curing: The pans pass through a high-temperature oven that bonds the ceramic layer to the metal. The temperature and dwell time are monitored by sensors linked to the quality team’s dashboard.
6. Assembly: Stainless steel handles (or welded aluminum handles) are attached, and the signature two-tone exterior coating is applied using an electrostatic paint system.
7. Quality Control: Each batch is tested for coating integrity, weight, and thermal performance before shipping. Random samples are sent to independent labs for leach testing.

This process shows that the “maker” is a combination of automated systems and skilled technicians employed by the contract manufacturer, all supervised by Our Place’s quality team. The factory also operates a small pilot line where new color prototypes are produced before a full run.

Materials and Supply Chain

When investigating Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, the materials tell a story of global sourcing. The primary body is recycled aluminum, which is sourced from post-industrial scrap within Asia. The ceramic coating is formulated by a specialized chemical supplier in Germany or Japan, then applied in China. Handles are often made from stainless steel sourced from mills in South Korea or Taiwan. The brand also uses a recycled stainless steel for some components.

Our Place publishes a material transparency list. The aluminum is described as “non-toxic, recycled, and fully recyclable.” The coating is a “thermolon-style” ceramic (though not necessarily the same brand as GreenPan’s Thermolon). The brand emphasizes that no external testing has found heavy metals leaching. The supply chain integrity is monitored via a code of conduct. Suppliers must comply with restrictions on conflict minerals and forced labor. This layer of oversight is what separates a responsible brand from a generic private-label pan.

Additionally, the packaging materials are sourced from FSC-certified paper mills, and the printing uses soy-based inks. The brand’s logistics partners ship via consolidated freight to reduce carbon emissions per unit. So the “maker” is not just the factory but an entire network of vetted suppliers who must meet the brand’s standards.

Is Our Place Cookware Made in the USA?

A frequent question tied to Who Makes Our Place Cookware? is whether any part is made domestically. Currently, the design, engineering, and headquarters are in the USA, but the physical cookware is not manufactured there. The brand has not announced US-based production facilities. The reasons are economic: building a ceramic-coated aluminum foundry in America would dramatically increase the retail price, conflicting with the brand’s accessible positioning.

However, some ancillary products like certain packaging inserts or marketing materials are produced in the States. For consumers who strictly require “Made in USA” cookware, brands like Lodge (cast iron) or All-Clad (some lines) may be alternatives. Our Place chooses global manufacturing with local oversight—a common hybrid model. The company has stated that it continually evaluates nearshoring options but has not found a partner that meets its cost and quality targets in North America. Tariffs and shipping delays have prompted the brand to diversify some packaging production to Mexico, but the pans themselves remain produced in Asia.

How Our Place Compares to Other Cookware Brands

Understanding Who Makes Our Place Cookware? becomes easier when you place it side-by-side with competitors. The table below highlights key differences in manufacturing and ownership. This is not an exhaustive list but covers the most relevant brands in the non-toxic and direct-to-consumer space.

As the comparison shows, Our Place is not unique in using overseas factories, but its founder-led story and design-centric approach set it apart. The brand’s pricing sits in the middle, making it accessible while still premium compared to basic nonstick. The key differentiator is the bundled accessories and the aesthetic cohesion of the product line.

How to Verify Authentic Our Place Cookware

Because the brand is popular, counterfeits exist. If you are asking Who Makes Our Place Cookware? and want to ensure you own the genuine article, follow these steps. Counterfeit pans may look similar but often fail on coating safety and durability.

Step-by-Step Authentication

1. Check the Box: Authentic products ship in a sturdy, minimalist box with the Our Place logo and a QR code linking to the official site. The print should be crisp, not blurry.
2. Inspect the Logo: The pan itself has a subtle etched “Our Place” wordmark on the handle or base. Counterfeits often have fuzzy printing or missing trademarks.
3. Verify the Coating: The ceramic surface should be smooth, with a matte exterior in signature colors like Spice, Steam, or Char. If the nonstick layer peels like traditional Teflon, it may be a fake.
4. Scan the QR Code: Use your phone to scan the code on the care card. It should direct to a registration page on ourplace.com. A dead link is a red flag.
5. Purchase Source: Buy only from the official website, Nordstrom, Crate & Barrel, or authorized Amazon storefront. Third-party marketplace sellers with no reviews are risky.
6. Weight Test: Genuine Always Pan has a substantial feel due to the heavy-gauge aluminum. Counterfeits often use thin metal and feel light.

Following this process ensures you support the actual makers and not a knockoff operation that ignores safety standards.

Step-by-Step: How to Care for Your Our Place Cookware

Knowing Who Makes Our Place Cookware? is only half the story; proper care extends its life. Ceramic coatings differ from traditional nonstick and require a gentle approach.

Cleaning and Maintenance Routine

1. Cool Down: Always let the pan cool before washing to prevent warping or thermal shock.
2. Hand Wash Preferred: Use warm water, a soft sponge, and mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool.
3. Remove Stuck Food: For stubborn bits, simmer water with a splash of vinegar for 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a non-scratch brush.
4. Dry Thoroughly: Use a towel to dry the pan; do not air dry if you live in a humid area to avoid water spots on the ceramic.
5. Store Properly: Use the included steamer basket or a pan protector to avoid stacking scratches. If nesting, place a cloth between pans.
6. Re-season Occasionally: While not required, rubbing a teaspoon of olive oil and heating on low for 2 minutes can refresh the surface and improve release.
7. Avoid Dishwasher: Although some newer models are labeled dishwasher safe, repeated exposure to harsh detergents shortens coating life.

By respecting these steps, you maintain the non-toxic layer that the manufacturers worked hard to perfect.

Tips and Best Practices for Using Our Place

Beyond care, here are tips to get the most from your cookware, keeping in mind the people who make Our Place prioritize health and versatility.

• Use Low to Medium Heat: Ceramic coatings excel at even, moderate heat. High flames can degrade the surface faster and may void warranty.
• Opt for Silicone or Wood Utensils: Metal tools can scratch the ceramic, even though the factory tests for hardness.
• Maximize the Modular System: The Always Pan’s nesting lid and steamer basket are designed to replace colanders and pasta pots—embrace the space-saving intent.
• Avoid Cooking Spray: Aerosol oils leave a residue that builds up on ceramic. Use liquid oil instead and spread with a brush.
• Register Your Product: This helps the company track quality batches and offers you warranty support if a defect appears.
• Preheat Gradually: Place the pan on low for 30 seconds before adding food; this prevents sticking and protects the coating.
• Clean the Exterior: The colored exterior can stain from gas flames. A paste of baking soda and water removes discoloration safely.

These practices honor the design philosophy of the brand’s founders and manufacturing partners.

Sustainability and Ethical Manufacturing

When consumers ask Who Makes Our Place Cookware?, they increasingly mean “who is accountable for its environmental footprint?” Our Place publishes an annual impact report. The aluminum used is recycled, reducing mining demand. The factory utilizes rooftop solar and water recycling in the coating stage. Packaging is plastic-free, using molded pulp and soy-based inks.

The brand also emphasizes fair labor. The Guangdong facility pays above local minimum wage and limits overtime. Third-party auditors like SGS verify these claims. While no supply chain is perfect, the transparency is a core part of the answer to who makes the cookware—because the maker is also the steward of these values. Our Place has committed to a science-based carbon reduction target and plans to offset shipping emissions through reforestation partnerships.

“We believe that a beautiful product should not come at the cost of people or planet.” — Our Place mission statement

Additionally, the company runs a trade-in program where customers can send back old cookware (any brand) for recycling and receive a discount on a new piece. This closed-loop thinking extends the responsibility of the maker beyond the point of sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Makes Our Place Cookware?

Our Place, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company founded by Shiza Shahid and partners, designs the cookware and contracts with a specialized factory in China for manufacturing. So the brand makes it via its supply chain, not a single artisan.

Is the cookware truly non-toxic?

Yes, the ceramic coating is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. Independent lab tests commissioned by the company support these claims, and the brand publishes summary results.

Can I buy replacement parts?

Our Place sells replacement lids, baskets, and handles through its website. The manufacturing partner produces these spares in the same facility to ensure compatibility.

Does Our Place own the factory?

No, it is a long-term contract partnership. Our Place owns the designs and quality specifications but not the physical plant.

Why is it made in China and not the USA?

Cost, scale, and expertise in ceramic-coated aluminum production make China the pragmatic choice. The brand maintains oversight to ensure standards.

How long does the coating last?

With proper care, the ceramic coating typically performs well for 2–3 years of regular home cooking. Heavy use or metal utensils can shorten that span.

Conclusion

So, Who Makes Our Place Cookware? The full answer is a tapestry: visionary founders in Los Angeles, a dedicated corporate team at Our Place, Inc., and skilled factory partners in Guangdong, China. The pans are designed with intention, manufactured with recycled materials, and finished with a non-toxic ceramic coating. By understanding the people and processes behind the brand, you can cook with confidence and support a company striving for transparency.

Whether you own the Always Pan or are considering your first purchase, you now know exactly who is responsible for that colorful, multifunctional kitchen companion. From the recycled aluminum core to the hand-checked quality control, every piece reflects a global effort to make home cooking healthier and more joyful. If you take the time to care for your cookware as outlined above, it will serve you well for years—and you can proudly explain to guests not just how it cooks, but who makes Our Place cookware.