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120 years of National Hardware

120 years of hardware reimagined™

Workshop

Our Birthday.

A celebration for everyone.

It is more than a celebration of us. It’s a thank you to all the makers, doers, builders and adventures who have inspired us since 1901. We invite you to reimagine the world as we’ve seen it all along. It goes beyond the products we build. It is the way we come together, work together, build together. Hardware Reimagined™.

Explore 120 years in the making
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120 Years in the making

Our History
1901
One autumn day, three men purchased a two-story wagon factory. Within a few months, the men quickly began manufacturing hardware and National Manufacturing was born on October 12, 1901 in Sterling, IL.
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Our History
1905
Mary Bittorf, joined the company in 1905 and became one of the first women in manufacturing. For nearly six decades, Mary was head of the women’s department and National Manufacturing became pioneers for the workforce for women.
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Our History
1907
National Manufacturing expands into a second building. While barn door hardware is a top seller, National Manufacturing works hard to create simple solutions for city-life and professional builders introducing readily available metal shapes and angles.
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Our History
1916
National Manufacturing receives a commendation from the War Department for production of ammunition box hardware during World War I.
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Our History
1929
The Great Depression rocks the nation as businesses struggle to stay open. National Manufacturing founders take pay cuts, reduce hours and find non-production tasks for employees to avoid any layoffs. Employees later recalled that some parts of the plant received several coats of paint.
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Our History
1941
National Manufacturing becomes the first company in the Twin Cities to install IBM equipment.
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Our History
1955
National Manufacturing implements new visual packaging and psion technology to increase speed and order accuracy. This large advancement in merchandising causes sales to skyrocket in post-war marketplace.
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Our History
1956
On October 12, 1956, its 55th anniversary, National Manufacturing introduces visual packaging and panel display assortments quickly follow. These new systems of self-merchandising is still used today by many competitors.
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Our History
1987
With over 800 employees and two new plants, National Manufacturing pioneered the two-prong sales approach for the industry. A field sales team for the co-operatives and national account team for the warehouse.
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Our History
2001
National Manufacturing is the first US builder’s hardware company to expand globally with a new sales force in Canada and Latin America. National Manufacturing also diversified at home, adding a new line of decorative exterior hardware called Exterior Visions.
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Our History
2015
As a nod to its first product, the Big 4, National Hardware launched a refreshed line of barn door hardware. As experts in barn doors, National Hardware was one of the first to introduce a complete line of interior door hardware applications that merged function and style for the do-it-yourself consumer.
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Our History
2021
While the last 120 years won’t look like the next, National Hardware will be there to help you make your mark along the way. From smaller changes and repairs, to large transformations and expansions, National Hardware celebrates 120 years. Hardware Reimagined™.
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