Company: Black & Decker Manufacturing Co.

Founders: S. Duncan Black, Alonzo G. Decker

Industry: The Black & Decker Manufacturing Co. is a global manufacturer and marketer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems.

History:

S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker displayed a natural aptitude for engineering and sales early into their careers. In the fall of 1910, with the help of $3,000 put up by investors and a combined investment of $1,200, the pair formed the Black & Decker Manufacturing Corporation.

The company, headquartered in Towson, Maryland, initially manufactured goods made to order. Though the production of devices such as milk bottle cap machines, vest-pocket adding machines, candy-dipping machines and other machinery for the U.S Mint contributed to their success, Black and Decker wanted to develop their own products.

In 1917, seven years after the birth of their company, the partners released the first official Black and Decker tool. It was their second product however, that revolutionized the modern power tool industry: a portable electric drill with a pistol grip and trigger switch. By 1920, Black & Decker was seeing annual sales of more than $1 million.

Despite the volatility brought on by the Depression and World War II, Black & Decker went on to become the world’s largest manufacturer of consumer power tools.

Black served as president from the company’s birth until his death in 1951.
Black was replaced by Decker, who was succeeded by Robert D. Black, upon his death in 1956. Black was in turn succeeded by Alonzo Decker Jr. In the 1960s, under Alonzo Jr., the company released the first cordless drill, creating a new market in the power tool industry.

At present, the Black & Decker Manufacturing Co. sees annual sales of $4 billion. The company has over 27,000 employees. It has manufacturing operations in 14 countries and markets its products in more than 100 countries. It is the largest manufacturer and marketer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems in the world.

Leadership:

Nolan D. Archibald, CEO