Hendrick Manufacturing is commemorating its 140th anniversary this year. The company was founded in 1876 in Carbondale, PA, where it still operates today. Since the founding, two additional manufacturing divisions have been established, Hendrick Screen Company in Owensboro, KY, a manufacturer of wedge wire and Profile Bar products; and Hendrick Metal Products in Elgin, IL, a second perforation and fabrication facility serving Midwest customers. All three locations will celebrate the milestone.
Fewer than 0.007% of all U.S. companies survive
A company surviving and growing for 140 years is a rare milestone. Based on research completed at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, of the nearly 6 million firms in the U.S., only 400 companies were founded before 1876. Hendrick is among that top 0.007%.
A testimony to Hendrick’s age, a notebook of shop orders and drawings for products can be found at the Smithsonian Institute. The Smithsonian retains the notebook along with early artifacts from other companies to showcase key aspects of early technological and industrial processes and how they were captured.
Brief history
Eli E. Hendrick founded the company through the sale of his patented oil refining formula, which was sold to John D. Rockefeller of the Standard Oil Company. Hendrick, an inventor with over 25 different patents during the late 1800’s, developed an improved way to refine oil, replacing wire cloth with holes drilled in metal. Soon after, he began perforating metal screens for the coal and oil refining industries and Hendrick Manufacturing was founded as the first commercial manufacturer of perforated metal screens. During the past 140 years, usage of perforated metals has expanded to other industries for its filtration / separation properties or aesthetic beauty as used in architectural applications.
Anniversary celebration planned on National Manufacturing Day
To commemorate the company’s 140th anniversary, all Hendrick divisions will open their doors for facility tours on National Manufacturing Day-October 7. The general public, including students at nearby schools, are invited to visit their manufacturing facility.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about metal processing, from manufacturing to its uses. Hendrick employees will be available to discuss their manufacturing methods and answer questions. Tours will conclude with a historical presentation of 140 years of manufacturing.
Additional information for Hendrick’s Anniversary and Manufacturing Day celebration can be found by visiting the Manufacturing Day web site at www.mfgday.com.
To learn more about Hendrick Manufacturing visit www.hendrickmfg.com.
