Since 1942, Arborite has been bringing surfaces to life. With a solid reputation for quality and reliability, Arborite has become synonymous with high-pressure laminate. An industry pioneer in high pressure laminates, Arborite has grown to become one of the world’s most innovative HPL manufacturers and distributors. Here’s how we got where we are today:

1942 –

After years of research, Howard Smith Paper Mills Ltd. first announces the development of a brand new decorative product using pulp resin.

1945 –

Arborite, the first commercial decorative melamine laminate, is pressed in Canada.

1948 –

The Arborite Company Ltd. is incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Howard Smith Paper Mills Ltd.

A new Arborite manufacturing facility is officially opened in Lasalle, Quebec.

1953 –

Arborite licenses its process to Polyrey, a French plastic laminate manufacturer and division of Aussedat Ray.

1962 –

Arborite opens a plastic laminate company in the United Kingdom.

1963 –

Arborite becomes a division of Domtar Construction materials after the purchase of Howard Smith Paper Mills Ltd. by Domtar Inc.

1971 –

A second North American plant opens in Vaughn, Ontario.

1972 –

The U.K. plant is sold to focus on the North American market.

1976 –

Production begins at a new Domtar plant in Huntsville, Ontario.

Capitalizing on new thermally fused decorative panel technology, the plant produces panels sold under the Cladboard^® brand name.

1985 –

Domtar purchases the assets of Excelite in Norcross, Georgia and folds the company into its Arborite division.

1988 –

On December 31^st, Forbo International, a Swiss company with a high-pressure laminate manufacturer of its own, Resopal Gmbh, acquires Domtar Construction Materials’ Arborite division.

1997 –

Forbo’s high-pressure laminate divisions are acquired by Premark International in the U.S.

1999 –

ITW (Illinois Tool Works, Inc.) merges with Premark International, taking on the ITW name. ITW remains to this day Arborite’s parent company.