Newell Machinery history

Newell Co. traces its roots to the short-lived W. F. Linton Company, an Ogdensburg, New York, firm incorporated in 1902 to make brass curtain rods.

In 1903 the company went bankrupt and Newell took control of its operations, renaming the firm Newell Manufacturing Company, Inc.

In 1908, the company boosted profits by investing in machines that produced curtain rods better and faster than any other manufacturer.

In 1912 the domestic company began construction of a new factory, which was completed a year later.

By 1917 Newell’s curtain rods were being coated with a nontarnishable lacquer.

In 1920 Edgar A. Newell died and, for the first time, stockholder changes were made at the company.

In 1921 Cuthbert, the Newell brothers, and a former Ogdensburg employee named Harry Barnwell each put up $5,000 to start a new curtain rod factory in Freeport, Illinois.

The company quickly became profitable, and in 1925 a new factory was erected.

By 1928 Western Newell’s sales had grown to $485,000, more than twice that of Newell Ltd. and about half that of Newell Manufacturing.

At the time of the stock market crash in October 1929, Western Newell was producing a wide variety of drapery hardware, including extension curtain rods, ornamental drapery rods, and pinless curtain stretchers.

In 1933 Western Newell earned $61,000 on sales of $320,000, whereas Newell Manufacturing earned $47,000 on sales of $425,000.

By 1937 Western Newell, under the leadership of Ferguson, had surpassed Newell Manufacturing in both revenues and income, earning $126,000 on sales of $553,000, whereas Newell Manufacturing earned $70,000 on sales of $511,000.

In 1954 the Newell family ceded further power over its namesake companies as complete operational control was given to Leonard Ferguson, who became president of all three Newell companies.

Newell Equipment Company was founded in 1955 by Charles (Chuck) P. Newell, a Georgia Tech engineering graduate, and ex Naval Officer.

In 1963 Ferguson was named chairman and chief executive of the three Newell companies and two years later his son, Daniel C. Ferguson, became president of the companies.

In 1968 Newell purchased a majority interest in Mirra-Cote Industries, a manufacturer of plastic bath accessories.

In 1969 Newell acquired Dorfile Manufacturing Company, a maker of household shelving, and E.H. Tate Company, which brought the “Bulldog” line of picture hanging hardware into the Newell line of products.

In 1970 the company was reincorporated in Delaware as Newell Companies, Inc.

In April 1972 Newell went public as an over-the-counter stock and that same year initiated an acquisition strategy that would later be replayed in various forms.

By March 1973 Newell had ousted the EZ Paintr board and Daniel Ferguson had became president of the company, which yielded complete control of its stock to Newell six months later.

In 1975 Leonard Ferguson died and a descendant of Ben Cuthbert, William R. Cuthbert, was later named chairman.

In May 1978 Newell acquired 24 percent of the financially-troubled BernzOmatic Corporation, a manufacturer of propane torches and other do-it-yourself hand tools.

In May 1984 Newell increased its number of common stock shares from 14 million to 50 million and later that year through a stock swap acquired Foley-ASC, Inc., a maker of cookware and kitchen accessories.

In May 1985 the company changed its name to Newell Co.

In January 1986 William P. Sovey, former president of AMF Inc., was named president and chief operating officer.

By 1987 Newell had acquired complete control of Wright, which was added to a list of about 30 acquisitions the company had logged since Ferguson had become president.

Since then, Newell has provided its shop and field crews with the latest equipment, strong leadership, and the 1990 formation of Millwright Local Union 2158.

Hackney, Holt, “Strategic Alliances,” Financial World, October 29, 1991.

In 1992 Newell also sold its closures business for $210 million, and the company’s books for the year reflected a record $119 million in earnings on a record $1.45 billion in sales.

In 1993, Logan Conveyors went out of business, and Newell became a distributor for Mathews Conveyors, which has been around for almost 100 years.

Metal fabrication grew again, and in 1998 Newell built its current 50,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility.

2014 Newell opened its state-of-the-art Design Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, making a significant commitment to create a brand-led company famous for innovation, design and product performance.

2015 In 2015, Newell Rubbermaid announced its intention to acquire Jarden Corporation and its diverse global portfolio of well-known brands such as Ball, Yankee Candle, FoodSaver and more.