COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3496

Miscellaneous Fabricated Wire Products

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1852–1980founding years16still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Stanley WorksFoundedThe Stanley Works
1852
FoundedKnape & Vogt Manufacturing CompanyFoundedKnape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
1898
FoundedEkco Group, Inc.FoundedEkco Group, Inc.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedNational Standard Co.FoundedNational Standard Co.
1907
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMicrodot Inc.FoundedMicrodot Inc.FoundedSouthwire Company, Inc.FoundedSouthwire Company, Inc.
1950
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedGreat American Management and Investment, Inc.FoundedGreat American Management and Investment, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedGrupo Carso, S.A. de C.V.FoundedGrupo Carso, S.A. de C.V.
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Stanley Works →
Active · founded 1852
The Stanley Works is a manufacturer of a broad range of tools and hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial,…
The Stanley Works →
Active · founded 1852
The Stanley Works is a manufacturer of a broad range of tools and hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial,…
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company →
Active · founded 1898
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company is one of the United States' leading suppliers of large adjustable steel shelving…
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company →
Active · founded 1898
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company is one of the United States' leading suppliers of large adjustable steel shelving…
Ekco Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1903
Ekco Group, Inc.
Ekco Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1903
Ekco Group, Inc.
National Standard Co. →
Active · founded 1907
National Standard Co.
National Standard Co. →
Active · founded 1907
National Standard Co.
Microdot Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Microdot traces its history to a small fastener manufacturer based in southern California called the Felts Corporation.
Microdot Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Microdot traces its history to a small fastener manufacturer based in southern California called the Felts Corporation.
Southwire Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Southwire Company, Inc., is the largest manufacturer of copper and aluminum rod, wire, and cable in the United States.
Southwire Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Southwire Company, Inc., is the largest manufacturer of copper and aluminum rod, wire, and cable in the United States.
Great American Management and Investment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
A cursory look at Great American Management and Investment, Inc.
Great American Management and Investment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
A cursory look at Great American Management and Investment, Inc.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
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