Timeline

1882

William Black Sr. founder of Black Bros.

1884

The five Black brothers immigrate to America and re-establish their business in Chicago, Illinois.

1889

The Black brothers invent a Molding Sander to replace the tedious hand sanding required by the ornate wood moldings of that era. This machine was patented and became one of the first Black Bros. machines sold into the developing American woodworking industry.

1899

Photo of Black Bros. Employees at the turn of the century.

1900

Black brothers move their ambitious machinery business to Mendota, Illinois because of its central location to the growing concentration of furniture and woodworking factories in Illinois, Wisconsin & Michigan.

1910

Black Bros. Veneer Taping Machine is invented, replacing slow hand gluing and taping, allowing manufacturers to dramatically increase veneer production. Also shown, Black Bros. factory after addition in 1907.

1919

First Revolving "Clamp Holding Machine" introduced to hold edge glued and face glued stock until cured. This was the forerunner of today's Clamp Carrier machines and hailed as a labor and space saving design.

1920

The Black Bros. Machinery Company was reorganized. The company's name was changed to Black Bros. Manufacturing Co. Walter Black remained as President. John E. and Robert S. Black joined the company after being discharged from the Army after World War I.

1921

Electric Veneer Press is designed enabling the production of higher quality furniture veneers.

1928

Black Bros. purchases the Towsley Glue Spreader/Glue Heater line. Employment reaches 50 associates.

1929

Crash of 1929 followed by eight years of economic depression. As with most other companies, Black Bros. suffered but survived.

1930

Walter Black Sr. died and was succeeded as President by John E. Black.

1937

Introduction of the original 22D Glue Spreader for applying synthetic resin glue. This revolutionary Spreader incorporated an entirely new type of synthetic rubber applicator roller that could be grooved to achieve specific spread rates which was a significant advance over the old metal applicator rolls. Business conditions start to improve with employment up to 35 associates.

1941

With the advent of World War II, Black Bros. supplied Laminating Machines to produce mine sweepers, aircraft, and other products crucial to the war effort.

1948

Under the Marshall Plan, Black Bros. exports many machines throughout Asia and Europe to help rebuild war-torn countries.

1951

Upon the death of John E. Black, Robert S. Black becomes President.

1955

Introduction of the Black Bros. Air Platen Press.

1957

Upon the death of Robert S. Black (1892-1957), James S. Carroll becomes President of the company representing the 4th generation.

1961

Black Bros. designs and manufactures the first Panel Cleaning Machine.

1963

Black Bros. Mendota opens Customer Service Laboratory. This enables customers to test their products and coatings in a simulated production set-up.

1967

First Divisional Service Center opened in High Point, North Carolina.

1976

Karl Brunner retires after 52 years of service. Karl was closely involved in the design of the 22D. He was an ingenious man in the development of many Black Bros. machines.

1982

Black Bros. celebrates 100 years in business.

1989

Black Bros. acquires Power Pod Press Line.

1990

Direct Differential Roll Coater introduced for applying very precise amounts of coatings to a variety of substrates.

1992

775 Glue Spreader introduced.

1994

With the advent of hot melt adhesive technologies, Black Bros. designs and introduces a 775 Hot Melt Adhesive Spreader.

1995

Matthew Black Carroll (5th generation) becomes President, and James S. Carroll remains Chairman of the Board.

1996

Black Bros. designs and manufactures its first Heated Single Opening Platen Press.

1997

Black Bros. acquires certain assets of the Monco Corporation and with it redesigns the TB60 Hot Roll Laminator.

1998

With customers wanting more automation in their Laminating Lines, Black Bros. designs and produces the Laminate Indexing Station and introduces it at the International Woodworking Fair. (IWF in Atlanta, Georgia)

2000

Black Bros. completes its 42,000 ft2 (3901 m2) building addition in Mendota, Illinois. This much needed addition will enable Black Bros. to meet customer demands well into the new century.

2002

Black Bros introduced the Panel Express heat assisted rotary laminator. This machine was a response to emerging adhesive technology that will allow panels to move directly from laminator to other machining operations.

2004

Black Bros. Co. introduces a new line of Coil Coating Machinery.

2005

The largest Roll Coater in Black Bros. Co. History

2006

Black Bros. Associates gather for a photo in celebration of an all time high Safety Record. The Associates of Black Bros. Co. also commemorated at a Chicago White Sox game on July 23, 2006, to recognize over 600 accident free work days at their company.

2007

Black Bros. designs new Vertical Coil Coating Line

2007

Senator Gary Dahl visits Black Bros. Co.

2007

Introducing Black Bros. new Compact Lubricant Coater

2007

Matt Carroll, President and CEO of Black Bros. Co., and Ryne Sandberg, Manager of the Peoria Chiefs, enjoy an evening Peoria Chiefs Baseball Game in Peoria, Illinois, to celebrate Black Bros. Co. 125th Anniversary. Black Bros. Associates congregated in the Pepsi Picnic Plaza area of O'Brien Field. Black Bros. Co. was established in 1882.