History | Frantz Manufacturing Co.

1909-Slide-Final

On September 16, 1909, a charter was issued to The FRANTZ Speciality Manufacturing Company. The first product sold was the Lightning Lamp Adjuster. The adjustable lamp could be suspended over machinery and desks in factories and offices to give better light to workers. Inventor, Peter Frantz, traveled throughout the country, demonstrating the lamp adjusters to potential customers. Orders came in from New York and Texas.

FRANTZ Specialty Manufacturing was established in Sterling, IL, on September 16, 1909.

1912-Slide-Final

The company changed its name to FRANTZ Manufacturing Company in 1911, and by 1912, the product line had increased to more than 75 items...

FRANTZ officially changed its name to FRANTZ Manufacturing Co. and moved to its second location in Sterling, IL.

1920-Slide-Final

The FRANTZ line of toys was introduced in 1920 because the woodworking machinery in the plant was not always working to capacity.

FRANTZ Hustler Toys were introduced in 1920 and were sold in department stores such as Macy’s in New York and Marshall Fields in Chicago.

1934-Slide-Final

In March 1934, FRANTZ began production of roller skates under the Hustler Corporation.

FRANTZ Hustler Roller Skates were produced and sold throughout the country until 1973.

WWII-Slide-Final

In the late 1930s, steel became essential for war-related and defense products.

By the end of WWII, FRANTZ produced over 95% of the hardware used by companies to assemble cots for the armed forces.

1947-Slide-Final

Once WWII ended, steel was again available, and the demand for garage door and builder hardware increased.

In 1947, FRANTZ opened its Sterling Commercial Steel Ball Company in Sterling, Illinois to manufacture steel balls for the skate and conveyor wheels and bearing business.

1959-Slide-Final

FRANTZ introduced sectional-type hardware to the garage door industry in February 1950.

In 1959, FRANTZ introduced the first successful lightweight fiberglass garage door.

1971-Slide-Final

In 1971 the need for more production space necessitated the building of an 84,000 square foot building for the FRANTZ Bearing Division in Sterling, IL.

1991-Slide-Final

FRANTZ became a CEMA (Conveyor Equipment Manufacturing Association) member in 1991. CEMA provides the conveyor industry with standards and technical information. This association is considered the voice of the conveyor industry.

2018-Slide-Final

The Sterling Steel Ball Division of FRANTZ became a Certified IATF16949:2016 Company in 2018.

Today-Slide-Final

The FRANTZ Ball and Bearing Divisions remain in Sterling, Illinois.

Today, FRANTZ continues to manufacture quality conveyor components and steel balls for customers worldwide in our Sterling, IL facilities.
FRANTZ... Moving the World Forward Since 1909.

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