History of Clopay Building Products
1859
The history of Clopay begins when Benard Seinsheimer Corp goes into business as a wholesaler of paper and allied products in the Cincinnati area. In 1888 the business is incorporated in Ohio under the name of The Seinsheimer Paper Company. In the early 1900’s the company starts manufacturing cloth garment bags and continues to wholesale paper products. In 1930 the company makes paper window shades and changes name to “Clopay” which is an acronym for “cloth-paper.”
1964
Clopay enters the garage door business with the purchase of Baker-Aldor-Jones of Hialeah, Fla., a manufacturer of steel, fiberglass, and aluminum garage doors.
1967
Clopay opens a branch in Cerritos, CA.
1969
Clopay acquires Francis Products, Inc., of Russia (pronounced ROO-shee), Ohio, about 100 miles north of Cincinnati. The factory becomes Clopay’s main manufacturing site.
1972
Baker-Aldor-Jones and Francis doors change to the Clopay brand name.
1977
Plants started making doors in Ludlow, Vermont and Ada, Oklahoma
1979/1980
First steel doors produced.
1983
Started using pre-painted steel and Tog-l-loc technology to manufacture steel PAN doors
Early 1980’s
Clopay consolidates all manufacturing facilities into Russia, Ohio location.
1986
Clopay Corporation is acquired by Instrument Systems Corporation of New York.
1986
Clopay introduces new line of steel “PAN” doors designed as a lower cost alternative to wood doors used in new construction. The design is a deep V raised and recessed panel unlike any other in the industry.
1989
Clopay introduces a new line of sandwich-insulated, thermally broken doors for both the residential and commercial markets.
1992
Clopay acquires Ideal Door and Phenix Door, two Wisconsin-based garage door manufacturers, adding an estimated $40 million to Clopay’s total sales.
1994
Clopay introduces the safety bottom bracket, SAFE-T-BRACKET, which is designed to prevent accidental injury if a bottom bracket were removed while the door is closed and under spring tension.
Mid 1990’s
Clopay invests In Clopay brand awareness and advertises in print and TV.
Clopay develops line of WINDCODE doors and programs for Florida and other coastal areas.
Clopay announces the acquisition of Atlas Roll-Lite Door Corporation of Orlando, Fla. Atlas Roll-Lite is a manufacturer of heavy duty coiling steel doors, grilles, and counter shutters for industrial and commercial markets and sectional garage doors and doors and components for the self-storage market. The addition of Atlas Roll-Lite makes Clopay one of the largest manufacturers of residential garage doors in the U.S., and a major manufacturer of commercial door products.
Clopay’s parent company takes on a new look and a new name, the “Griffon Corporation”
1997
Clopay Building Products acquires Holmes-Hally Industries (which includes Anozira Door Systems of Tempe, AZ and Holmes Door of Auburn, Washington.). This makes Clopay Building Products the largest manufacturer of residential doors in North America.
1998
Clopay introduces its patented EZ -Set Spring Systems, making torsion and extension spring installation easier and safer.
Clopay divests itself of the Roll-lite self-storage business to better focus its resources on coiling and sectional door products.
2000
Clopay introduces the Reserve Collection Semi-Custom and Custom wood carriage house style doors.
The company moves its headquarters from downtown Cincinnati to a new 20-acre campus in Mason, Ohio, 15 miles north. The new facility combines corporate headquarters and a technical development center.
Clopay sells the assets of Atlas Commercial Door Operators to The Chamberlain Group, Inc., and the assets of the Atlas door to Cornell Iron Works.
Clopay introduces new Next Generation doors manufactured in Tempe, AZ. Sold under the Clopay and Ideal Door brands.
2003 and 2004
Clopay introduces the Coachman Collection steel and composite carriage house doors.
2006
Clopay purchases 900,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Troy, Ohio.
Gallery and Grand Harbor Collections, carriage house style doors introduced.
2007
Clopay moves Tempe, AZ manufacturing operation to Troy, OH facility.
2008
Polyurethane foam injected residential and commercial doors are manufactured in Troy, Ohio. This line offers doors with R-values up to 17.2.
Clopay introduces a line of fiberglass and steel entry doors.
Ultra-Grain is introduced on Gallery Collection doors. |