Marino Charts Course For Iconic RAK Porcelain Growth in 2022

RAK Porcelain RAKstone
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RAK Porcelain – the celebrated international tabletop solution provider for the HORECA industry – is on a growth spree. The brand is present across a staggering 165 countries with an annual production capacity of 28 million pieces of high alumina tableware. Serving 40,000+ starred hotels, international airlines, premium cruise liners and high-end luxury fashion brands etc. to name a few.

Located 45 minutes north of the burgeoning economic powerhouse of Dubai and housed in a 100,000 square meter production facility, RAK Porcelain has its sights firmly set on building a global empire with a robust intervention into the U.S. markets. 

Ironically, RAK Porcelain’s global entry into producing china and flatware went against insider advice – they were told the HORECA industry was saturated and impenetrable.

RAK USA established in 2016 started by partnering with the iconic Homer Laughlin brand. However, RAK USA’s capabilities and extensive product portfolio quickly outdid the dynamics according to CEO and President of RAK USA, John Marino.

Since taking charge in 2021, Marino has pivoted on bolstering the RAK brand and identity. Reinventing the company’s reputation to spur fresh relationships and scale new success. “We had to start drilling down, we couldn’t just be a mile wide and an inch deep,” Marino said. 

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“To begin with, RAK USA played by a narrow scope. We had a wonderful team of skilled sales people, who were either category specific or territory specific specialists. Therefore, when I came on I brought a national presence to the teams. We now have successfully integrated both the company and teams with a new focus. Pleasantly, everyone bought into our new strategy allowing the necessary scale and scope needed to maximize our growth with united efforts in category, territory and national segments. In essence the merging of this expertise is bigger and better than what individual components could accomplish,” asserts Marino.

RAK Porcelain RAKstoneFurther, he shares that RAK USA was established much later during the massive global expansion drive and keeping pace with the parent was overwhelming. ”We needed to focus in on our core strengths to build back better. Our timing was ideal, as we started building our strategy before COVID,” stated Marino.

Central to this refocus was reimagining what RAK USA actually is and the collections that would define them. RAK USA had to reevaluate their image as a high-end only producer. Marino’s solution, a 20-25% price reduction, ‘across the board’. This restructuring proved well-timed when COVID-19 challenged and stymied many elements of the food service and hospitality industry. While many competitors stalled and struggled under the economic yoke of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, RAK Porcelain continued to foster success.

“When I took over in 2019 and into the pandemic in early 2020, I knew where we needed to go,” Marino said. “We were ready for this rapid acceleration of growth. While our competition spent 2020 trying to figure out where to be, we had a plan ready to execute.” 

Marino’s plan for RAK USA emphasizes creativity, ingenuity and quality that incorporates innovative technology. With a world-class production facility and isostatic pressing, RAK is able to set themselves apart from the competition. “You’ll have tableware with higher levels of thermal shock resistance, better heat retention and higher variability,” states Marino. “And above all, we’re yielding at 97-98%. So for every 100 we manufacture 97 of those are sellable and a bottom line that minimizes waste.” 

The efficient production processes allows RAK Porcelain to launch collections that span from fine china and typical flatware to creative and innovative pieces, which address the aesthetic and practical needs of world class chefs. 

Suggestions, a collection that encompasses 11 mini collections, attempts to do the latter, bridging artistry and ingenuity. To enhance the proposition, RAK Stone was introduced in 2021, a collection that blends the aesthetics of stoneware and durability of porcelain. The meticulously developed body formulae realized inventive textures and organic shapes. The 2 sub-series are distinct and perfectly suits the HORECA industry’s precise requirements.

RAK Porcelain’s Suggestions line took over four years of development and was crafted to offer solutions, which the international chef community desired but were never created. And by introducing the RAK Stone range, we hit the bullseye.” Marino said. “We have chilled plates, hot plates and serve ware, which are the first of its kind in the industry. There are so many different things from a ceramics standpoint that one would have never imagined, and most organizations wouldn’t be able to produce it.”

RAK USA now looks to flex its global presence and international prowess to grow the U.S. business, with tabletop solutions for every operator from the independent looking for a signature to the largest of multinationals including Disney and Hilton. Whatever 2022 brings RAK Porcelain USA, with Marino in charge, seems poised for success.


To learn more about RAK Porcelain, visit their website.

  • Day & Nite
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • Imperial Dade
  • Atosa USA
  • McKee Foodservice
  • RATIONAL USA
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Texas Pete
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • RAK Porcelain
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units