A FORMIDABLE LEGACY
In 1843, Frederick Stanley started a small shop in New Britain, Connecticut, to manufacture bolts, hinges and other hardware. In 1910, Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker started their shop in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated to manufacturing the world’s first portable power tool.
Today, Stanley Black & Decker is a leading diversified industrial, driven by a commitment to serve the builders, makers and protectors of the world.
Our 175 years of innovating, creating, and transforming are outlined below. See our formidable legacy.
OUR HISTORY
A formidable legacy. A powerful future.
1843
Frederick Trenck Stanley founds The Stanley Works, a small factory making bolts and hinges.
1857
Frederick Stanley’s cousin, Henry Stanley, founds the Stanley Rule & Level Company to manufacture measuring and layout tools.
1865
James Sargent and Halbert Greenleaf become partners and establish a manufacturing facility to make high-security locks for safes, vaults, and SCIFs.
1885
Charles Irwin patented the auger bit and formed the IRWIN Auger bit company.
1896
Thomas Briggs founds The Boston Stitch Wire Company (BOSTITCH®) to manufacture industrial staplers.
1906
PORTER-CABLE® founded by R.E. Porter, G. G. Porter and F. E. Cable to manufacture power lathes for woodworkers.
1907
Proto Tools is founded, making chisels and punches from the axles of Model T automobiles.
1910
S. Duncan Black & Alonzo G. Decker found Black & Decker in a small shop dedicated to manufacturing the world’s first portable power tool.
1915
LENOX® American Saw was founded by John Swanson, Carl Ericson, and Carl Davis to manufacture Hacksaw Blades in Springfield, MA.
1917
Black & Decker acquires patent for the pistol grip and trigger switch on its drill.
1918
Louis Moses founds the Société Franco-Américaine de Construction d’Outillage Mécanique (Franco-American Mechanics’ Tool Production Company). It would subsequently be known by its initials: FACOM.
1920
The Stanley Works & The Stanley Rule & Level Company merge to become a powerhouse in both hand tools and hardware.
1924
Raymond E. DeWalt invents the radial arm saw and founds his namesake company DEWALT INDUSTRIAL TOOLS.
1927
The Craftsman trademark was registered by Sears.
1930
Proto® introduces the first line of combination wrenches to the market.
1931
STANLEY® introduces the STANLEY® Magic Eye, the world’s first swinging automatic door operator.
1933
CRC-Evans founded as a leading oil and gas pipeline contractor.
1938
The Mechanics Tools and Forge Company is founded to manufacture the finest tools in the world, and would become Mac Tools®.
1957
Black & Decker enters the outdoor market with the first electric lawn edgers and hedge trimmers designed for consumers.
1958
Weidemar cabinets begin manufacturing in the United States under the name Vidmar®.
1961
Black & Decker introduces the world’s first cordless electric drill powered by nickel-cadmium cells.
1962
Vidmar® cabinets become part of the first photocopiers made by Xerox Corporation.
1962
Black & Decker introduces the world’s first cordless outdoor product, a cordless hedge trimmer.
1963
STANLEY® introduces the iconic PowerLock Tape Measure.
1964
Sonitrol® is founded, with an integrated audio sensor designed by a police officer.
1966
The Stanley Works is officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange as SWK.
1968
Lista® establishes U.S. operations to manufacture high-quality custom storage systems.
1974
STANLEY® begins its longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which has grown into one of the world’s largest nonprofit homebuilding organizations.
1975
STANLEY® introduced their first automatic sliding entrance door.
1979
Black & Decker introduces the DustBuster®, the world’s first handheld vacuum.
1980
STANLEY® designs and fabricates Platform Screen Doors for Orlando International Airport.
1992
CribMaster is established as a software company under the name WinWare.
1995
InnerSpace® begins providing supply/procedure carts cabinets and casework, small carts open storage, heavy-duty storage, and inventory management systems to medical facilities around the world.
1996
CribMaster introduces its first inventory management software platform into the market.
1998
CribMaster introduces its first industrial vending solution into the market.
1998
Inspired by the design of the computer mouse, the easy-to-use and ergonomic Black & Decker Mouse® Sander is launched.
2004
CribMaster introduces its first RFID point-of-use solution into the market.
2006
HSM is added to the STANLEY® Security business to provide advanced monitoring capabilities.
2008
Building on 100 years of quality tool craftsmanship, PORTER-CABLE® launches a new line of professional grade power tools for the tradesman.
2010
The Stanley Works and Black & Decker merged to become the world’s largest tools and storage company, the world’s second largest commercial electronic security business and the world’s second largest engineered fastening company.
2011
CribMaster inventory and asset management solutions added to Stanley Black & Decker’s growing advanced technology portfolio for industrial environments.
2011
STANLEY® continued to grow its security businesses by expanding into Europe with its acquisition of Niscayah.
2012
AeroScout® end-to-end location and telemetry solutions added to Stanley Black & Decker to further expand its growing suite of advanced tool and asset tracking systems.
2012
Powers® Fasteners, a worldwide pioneer in the fastening industry and leading supplier of masonry anchors and fastening systems in North America, was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker.
2013
Stanley Black & Decker acquired a 75% interest in Hefei INTACA Science-Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Intaca) a leading provider of hydraulic products and technology for the infrastructure market in China and other emerging markets.
2016
DEWALT launches FLEXVOLT, a highly innovative voltage-changing battery and a lineup of groundbreaking 60V MAX* and 120V MAX* tools.
2017
Stanley Black & Decker acquires the Newell Tools division, adding IRWIN, LENOX, and hilmor to our brand portfolio.
2017
Stanley Black & Decker purchases the Craftsman brand, an icon in the United States.
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