Hinge Manufacturers

Stanley [Stanley Works]

The Stanley Works is one of the oldest hinge-makers in America today.

Stanley's Bolt Manufactory (predecessor to the modern StanleyWorks) founded in 1843 in New Britain, CT, was initially famous for making T-hinges more efficiently and then won a patent for hinges with ball bearings in 1899. The company also takes credit for developing the first hinge hasp, first crate hinge, and first "blind" hinge. [1]

In making wrought butt hinges, a heavy door hinge, the company beat its rivals in the 1860s with special machines that punched holes in hinges up to 15 times as fast as the others and drove pins into hinges while the others were still doing it by hand. [2] 

A Stanly Butt hinge

Hager [Hager Companies]

Way back in 1849, a young German locksmith (ok, apprentice locksmith) made the long journey across the ocean to St. Louis, Missouri in search of the American dream. What he found was hard, hot work as a forger in a blacksmith shop. He stuck with the job though and when the owner of the shop got gold fever, he was able to purchase it and take over. The old owner wasn't the only one caught up in the gold rush though and there was plenty of work for young Hager's shop. Wagons heading out west needed wheel rims and hinges and Charles Hager had all the business he could handle right off the bat!

Over time, the company began to focus more on a growing demand for residential and commercial hinges. Without sacrificing quality they managed to increase production by developing new machinery. Around that same time, at the turn of the century, the Hager company improved on hinge technology by creating new compact butt type hinges. The innovation didn't stop there- advanced manufacturing techniques, specialized hinges, revolutionary electro-plating systems, and more followed through the years.

Amazingly, Hagar Companies is still family owned and operated and they are still located in their now historic St. Louis, Missouri location! Charles Hager's legacy lives today in the slogan that his family embraces: "The First Family of Superior Hardware."

Amerock

In offering the finest cabinet hinges available, HardwareSource proudly stocks and sells Amerock hinges. Why? And where did that unusual name, Amerock, come from? Well, it's really a long story but here's a brief vignette of Amerock hinge history.

In 1929 a man named Reuben Aldeen and a few employees rented the 12th floor of a tall building in Rockford, IL and that became the delivery room where Amerock hinges were born. Perhaps they got a better deal on this floor because the only access to it was from the roof! Mr. Aldeen named his enterprise the Aldeen Manufacturing Company, then quickly changed the name to the American Cabinet Hardware Corporation- neither were quite as memorable as "Amerock", but they got the job done during those rough early years. 

Times were tough for a new business like this but how could Mr. Aldeen foresee something as ominous as the Great Depression? And so, as the stock market crashed and businesses everywhere struggled to stay alive, Reuben's company slowly took flight.  And after weathering the bitter decade that carried the weight of the Depression, the company gathered it's strength and struck out with renewed vision and... a new name. In 1940 the "Amerock" name was born: a combination of "American" (for American Cabinet Hardware Corp.) and "Rockford" (for Rockford, IL).

The only way Amerock was able to survive and grow was by consistently producing quality hinges and hardware. Time has only made them better! Today, over 75 years since they began, Amerock hinges are more elegant and durable than ever. HardwareSource is delighted to offer Amerock hinges as a proud part of our showcased inventory. To better understand why we represent this great hinge company just take a look at some of the fabulous cabinet hinges by Amerock.

Blum [Julius Blum GmbH]

In 1952 Julius Blum began the Blum company in Hochs Germany with little more than the sweat of his brow and some fantastic engineering synapses just beneath. He was a hard working iron fitter and a creative blacksmith. His first innovation was a horseshoe stud that helped keep horses from slipping. The next milestone came six years later when the Blum company produced its first furniture hinge: the anuba hinge. This hinge was adapted for doors, windows, and furniture. After six more years of hard, metal hinge work, the successful Blum company began production of it's popular concealed furniture hinges and one year later began exporting these special hinges to other European countries. By 1967 the Blum company had achieved international status and Julius saw hinges bearing his name, and his reputation for quality, getting the attention they deserved. Quite a success story!

By the mid-80's, the Blum hinge had already established itself worldwide and the Blum clip hinge was introduced. Later it was enhanced in the Blum clip top hinge as production facilities and distribution centers swelled in countries that young Julius Blum had never even dreamed of visiting. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door." Julius Blum built a better hinge and the world did just that! He started with a humble horseshoe stud and ended up with beautiful hinges and a company that employs over 3,800 people worldwide.

Recent innovations from Julius Blum GmbH

BLUMOTION for CLIP top hinges
Closing doors – silent and effortless

The new BLUMOTION solution for CLIP top.
It is easily attached to the hinge arm and proves
itself through its perfect motion – silent and effortless.

AVENTOS
ening action – lighter than every before

The new bi-fold lift system with BLUMOTION
seems to defy the laws of gravity – opens
with just a light touch.

History of Hinges

History of Metal in Hinges: Bronze, Iron and Steel

Hinge Fabrication

Overview of Modern Hinges

HardwareSource Hinge Collection

HardwareSource is passionate about hinges!