Education
He attended the University of Oregon majoring in business but switched to engineering. He graduated with a bachelor"s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University in 1971.
He attended the University of Oregon majoring in business but switched to engineering. He graduated with a bachelor"s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University in 1971.
Born 1948 in Hong Kong he is one of seven children. He returned to Hong Kong in 1971 to take over the family aluminum manufacturing plant and converted it to cookware, releasing his first line in London, England in 1972. Distribution centers in Liverpool, England and Milwaukee, Wisconsin followed in 1976 and 1980, respectively.
In the 1980s he converted his factory to the production of nonstick cookware and in 1984 unveiled Circulon, the first line of hard-anodized, nonstick cookware on the market.
When Circulon was introduced, the nonstick system was so unique in extending the durability of nonstick cookware that it was granted a patent. The unique Circulon Hi-Low surface made the pans at least three times more abrasion-resistant than any other nonstick cookware on the market.
Anolon followed in 1986 as the first hard-anodized nonstick with a smooth cooking surface (and heavier-gauge aluminum than Circulon). Unfortunately, Cheng did not patent the hard-anodized nonstick process, which allowed competitors to develop similar products.
He still develops unique technologies and pans for Meyer, including Infinite Circulon"s impact-bonded base and the Anolon Outdoor Barbecue Pan, respectively.
In 1992, Cheng moved his family and main office of Meyer Corporation to Vallejo, California. Meyer Manufacturing is still based in Hong Kong. After his purchase of an 80-acre (320,000 m2) vineyard in Napa Valley, he has become involved in winemaking.
Hestan label
Hestan Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Hestan Vineyards California Chardonnay
Meyer label
Meyer Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Meyer Vineyard California Chardonnay.
