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MY STORY begins around 1968 while I was working for a company called Trans-Ocean-Bridge. During my visit to the large Hannover Fair in Germany I discovered a company called Römertopf. This all-natural clay roaster was easy to use and I felt like Americans could really enjoy learning how to use it. So I began to promote the Römertopf throughout the United States by starting a new trend doing the first, in-store cooking demonstrations. This technique was just the ticket to get the attention of home cooks and made Römertopf a household name.

In 1972, after separating from Trans-Ocean-Bridge and went back home to Germany. Taking all my success and experience I formed my own company which is now known as Reston Lloyd. Hoping to take my success with Römertopf to a new level I met with the owners of Römertopf at the time called Eduard Bay. During my meeting with them at the Frankfrut show, I was shocked when they refused to grant me exclusive selling rights for the United States. Even with all my experience and success they felt a single mom of two twin sons wasn't a person they could partner with and their contract was given to a male owned company, Reco.
1973
SCHLEMMERTOPF WAS BORN

So I took my ideas and dreams to a company in Germany called Scheurich. They had their own clay pot called "Schlemmertopf". With my new partnership, the real work had to begin. I would have to promote my new brand to compete against my success with the Römertopf name. Since I had so many years of experience with Römertopf I also knew some of their quirks as well. The Römertopf was a great product but was often hard to clean. So with my new partner Scheurich, we created a simple glass frit lining which makes cleaning so much easier while not taking away from the benefits of the all-natural clay lid.
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1974
SCHLEMMERTOPF HITS USA SHELVES

My first shipment of glazed clay cookers arrives and for the next decade I worked tirelessly to promote my clay pot with all of its benefits and new advantages. I created a brick oven pattern for one of my lines which can be seen here.
1980
THE MICROWAVE
Reston Lloyd became very successful and I got noticed by a huge company called Litton. Litton was the first electrical company to manufacture and sell microwave ovens. They were looking for someone to partner with to create a safe cooking vessel for the microwave. The high-quality German clay source I use worked perfectly. Eveyone who bought a Litton microwave got one of my simmer pots. My clay pots are still microwave safe today! 
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1984
RöMERTOPF & MEXICO

During this time Römertopf who partnered with Reco in 1972, Reco who began production of the unglazed Römertopf in a Mexican factory for the United States only. This new US only version by Römertopf made it very hard for Reston Lloyd to compete against because of their lower retails. It was my belief and is still today, that people appreciate good quality. This Mexican version had a lesser quality clay and was not glazed. So I continued to show customers why our brand was the better choice.
1994
RöMERTOPF USES GLAZE IN BASE
In Germany the company Eduard Bay was sold and a new company called Römertopf Kermik GMBH also developed a glaze for the inside of their pots. This new upgraded version was sold in every country in the world, except for the U.S. where the unglazed Mexican made version was sold. With this major mis-step in their distribution, Schlemmertopf became the only Made In Germany clay pot and continued my success in the U.S.
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2012 
FULL-CIRCLE
Römertopf decided in 2012 to end their relationship with Reco International, The Mexican made version and wanted to promote their German-made version. After so many decades I as asked by the Römertopf company to pick up their Brand for US distribution. After much thought, I decided to pick up the line again, since it would be the made in Germany. So, I partnered up with Römertopf and came full-circle to my start in the business.
COVID 19

The pandemic brought on new challenges like never before. More people where cooking and working from home. Demand for supplies became top news as it became harder to get everyday items. Sadly, the Römertopf company was not able to keep up with production demand levels and we were forced to find a new path forward with our clay bakers.
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Eurita
EURITA

The pandemic did bring a lot of challenges but it also brought the opportunity to re-launch my Schelmmertopf line. We updated the brick motif and rebranded the name to EURITA with production in Portugal. My brand; EURITA was originally created back in the early 70's when I started importing other houseware items such as cookware, gadgets, and tabletop items in melamine and enamel-on-steel. EURITA is a combination of my name and love of Europe; EU + Rita = EURITA!