Celebrating 150 Years in Business

 

There are five companies in my Century Club data base founded in 1871, which means they would be celebrating their 150th anniversaries in 2021. However, I'm not quite sure how to position two of them, so I'll just tell you what I could find out and let you decide.

French Paper of Niles, Michigan is a 6th generation manufacturer of specialty paper products, much loved by graphic designers. Their goal is to "make paper that brings beauty to life." In 2019 they 'joined' with Finch Paper Holdings of Glen Falls, New York and are now part of Atlas Industry Holdings, a private investment and equity firm founded in 2002 located in Greenwich, Connecticut. News reports say French Paper continues to operate as an independent company.

Homer Loughlin China Company (HLC) of Newell, West Virginia is the maker of Fiesta tableware and Hall China. In 2020 HLC sold their food service division to Steelite International, a Newcastle PA company that had been purchased by Arbor Investments, a new York/Chicago private equity firm. HLC retained ownership of the Fiesta brand and has changed their name to Fiesta Tableware Company (though it appears that Steelite will be the manufacturer and distributor of Fiesta).

Kennebunk Savings Bank of Kennebunk, Maine is a privately-owned financial institution.

Ritter's Office Outfitters of Mansfield, Ohio is an employee-owned retail office products supplier.

White Rock Beverages is a 5th generation beverage company based in Whitestone, New York known for their high quality club soda, ginger ale and tonic water mixers.

Founded 1846 -- Still Going 175 Years Later

 

Four Century Club Companies celebrate their 175th anniversary in 2021: three are private and two of those are 5th generation shoe stores in the same town in Michigan! The one public business, Church & Dwight, is best known for their Arm & Hammer line of baking soda products, though they offer other well known brands as well (such as Pepsodent, Arrid, OxyClean, and Waterpik). Here is the list:

Church & Dwight Ewing, New Jersey public (consumer packaged goods)

Martin's Shoe House Monroe, Michigan 5th & 6th generation (retail shoe store)

Powell Valves (Wm. Powell Company) Cincinnati, Ohio private (industrial valve manufacturer)

Yaeger's Shoes Monroe, Michigan 5th generation (retail shoe store)

Two U.S. Companies Celebrate 200th Anniversaries in 2021

 

Two private companies have managed to survive since 1821 to celebrate their 200th anniversary this year. Hearty congratulations to these two businesses:

Bartlett Yarns Harmony, Maine

Hickok Boardman Insurance Burlington, Vermont

New Edition of Book Available

https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Century-Club-Companies-Long-Term/dp/0984898603

Pleased to announce a new version of my book is now available with an updated list of 1300 U.S. Century Club Companies, including 65 new members founded in 1919 and 1920 - and 27 founded before 1800! Only 12% of these companies are public, and approximately 60% are generational family firms.