A chat with Kate Slavin, co-founder and design lead of Ironclad Co.
What inspired the launch of Ironclad?
Ironclad started, like all good things, with food and family. In 2019, my husband Levi and I founded the company, inspired by cookware we inherited from Levi’s grandmother, Lil. These weren’t just pots and pans, they were working heirlooms. Objects filled with memories, stories, and traditions. They could never be replaced, would never need replacing. And after decades of use, they still cooked perfectly. We realised that a truly sustainable product is both one you never have to replace and one so meaningful you’d never want to let it go. That became the ethos for everything we create.
What does the power of community mean to you and your team?
Community is everything to us. Ironclad isn’t just owned by Levi and me, it’s owned by the people who helped us get started including Felicity Morgan-Rhind, Peter Gordon, Al Brown, Lennox Hastie and 260 of our original customers. This incredible group helps us prototype new products, keeps us on track, and supports us when things inevitably get tough, as they do in any small business.
Being able to find and collaborate with other likeminded, local craftspeople and chefs has been one of the most enjoyable things about Ironclad for me. It’s really inspiring and fulfilling being able to learn more about totally different disciplines and celebrate talented people.
We also partner closely with KiwiHarvest, an organisation tackling food waste and food insecurity. Our idea has always been that every pan we sell should feed more than just one family. Given the state of the world, we believe it’s more important than ever for communities to look out for each other. We hope we’ll see more of that in the coming years. It’s about shared responsibility and thinking beyond ourselves.
What are some of the most memorable dishes you’ve created with your pieces?
We make so many precious family recipes inherited from our community, it’s difficult to choose the best. But our Heirloom Recipe series has been really fun, remaking dishes from historical icons – like Johnny Cash’s Old Iron Pot Chilli, Frida Kahlo’s Fish Veracruz, and Rosa Parks’ Featherlite Pancakes.
Our most popular and simple-but-game-changing recipe is the focaccia bread. Originally made in the Legacy Pan, and easy to resize for any of the collection. We get regular feedback from people about how much they love and use this recipe! Such a great base for savoury or sweet.
What are your future goals for the growth of the brand?
We’re inspired by a time when makers proudly put their names on their products – a sign of pride, accountability, and craftsmanship. We want Ironclad to grow in that same spirit. When we first started, investors asked us why we’d make products that never needed replacing. They were puzzled by a business model without built-in obsolescence – no tricks to get people to buy more than they need. All these years later, we’re proud to say it was the right decision. Shop well, buy once. That’s the idea.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue our commitment to making meaningful objects that last beyond one lifetime. We’re also investing in sustainable materials, like our Ghost Knives crafted from recycled fishing nets and our Wool Handle Knives made with a plastic substitute derived from sheep’s wool. These products push us forward, inspiring us to find new, sustainable solutions. Ultimately, we want Ironclad to be remembered not just for quality cookware, but as a brand that made a lasting positive difference.
