Although silicone bakeware has been around for decades, it was only a few short years ago that silicone bakeware began to gain acceptance in the general markets. As with many new products, it was put into the publics hands quickly before enough information could be gathered.
Many buyers complained of odors, residual taste left on food, color bleaching out, sticking and too flimsy just to name a few. All businesses are profit driven. Buy low, sell high is an idea old as recorded time.
Many retailers were looking for the lowest priced suppliers to stock their shelves, but the lowest price often comes at a price. Once it was clear that silicone bakeware had a viable market, many new ‘would-be’ factories began popping up. To be competitive and gain large retail accounts, corners were severely cut to lower manufacturing cost.
Most retailers jumped on these small manufacturers without a sound quality control policy enforced. The result was poor quality (if not dangerous) products.
The large retailers know how to handle bad press. They simply blame the overseas factories and put the focus on them. (with good cause) But, buyers buy from the retailer NOT the factory. Buyers EXPECT the retailer to make a solid effort to protect the buyers through quality control procedures which are more often than not very flawed.
Experience has taught us, factories will try to cut corners were they can get away with it, in order to increase profits. Wholesale Suppliers and Retailers too often simply accept the word of the factory on good faith (a good supplier or retailer would know better).
Today, many of those small manufacturers are out of business and the better ones have been left to compete for market share. Some of these manufacturers produce well-known brand names like BakewaresBest and Wilton.
Both are focused on quality and customer service.
Today’s silicone bakeware is much safer than those in the past, if you look for well-known names. They became well-known due to their quality and customer service efforts.
Silicone bakeware does take some time to master and there is a slight learning curve. But with practise, they can be more helpful than old baking pans.
L.R.Caldwell International Inc www.lrcaldwellint.com uses only 100% Food Grade Silicone. All Silicone products are FDA approved.
