INCO

Bio

INCO was an independent furniture company located in Los Angeles from 1924 to 1977. Francis Inco (left) was the founder of the company. Initially the factory was located in downtown Los Angeles.

In 1934 Francis was killed in a car accident. His son, Joseph Inco (right), was also in the car, but survived. Joseph, who was serving as the general manager of INCO at the time, then became president. Along with running the company, Joseph designed furniture for INCO. They were primarily a bed manufacturer, then in the 1950s several lines of iron furniture were added.

Joseph Inco designed many pieces for the company, but they also hired outside designers, such as Milo Baughman. Greta Grossman also designed a table and possibly other pieces which were included in a 1953 Pacifica exhibition.

Inco suite from the early 1950’s

INCO lounge

Milo Baughman designed INCO’s Accent group in 1953

Refectory Table designed by Joseph Inco

The company did some compelling original designs but were also guilty of copying from others. Such is the case with their stacking stools above from 1953. They look almost identical to the Knoll Model 75 table designed in 1947. In fact many stools offered for sale today as Knoll are actually by Inco. There is a difference if you know what to look for.

INCO Stools

In addition to the frame extending further beyond the wood on the INCO stools, the most obvious difference is seen under the hood. The INCO version has rectangular metal tabs for the mounting screws. On the Knoll frame, the screws go directly through the rods (without tabs). Also, there is often remnants of the orange Inco label.

They also copied a Dorothy Schindele chair she designed for her company, Modern Color Inc. The version seen here is with arms but INCO also did them without. The big difference between the two is the Modern Color Inc. chair back is screwed to the exposed frame. The INCO seat back slips over the frame, which in my opinion is a more elegant solution.

As seen in this LA Times ad…Yes, INCO makes them All! Although they did make everything in this ad, they really didn’t produce all the 1950s iron that they seem to get credit for these days.

In 1956, The INCO Company built new offices in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The building is still there, although it’s been altered.

The building might still be there, but INCO went out of business in 1977.