Our Heritage

The Heritage of STANLEY Security

In 1843, Frederick Stanley started a small shop in New Britain, Connecticut, to manufacture bolts, hinges and other hardware. In 1910, Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker started their shop in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated to manufacturing the world’s first portable power tool. Today, Stanley Black & Decker is a leading diversified industrial, driven by a commitment to serve the builders, makers and protectors of the world.

STANLEY Security is a division of Stanley Black & Decker, and a global provider of integrated security solutions for local, regional, multi-location, and national organizations. As one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive business security providers, we’re protecting what’s important to you by designing, installing, servicing and monitoring an award-winning portfolio of security products and solutions.

We are proud of our 175 years of heritage.

A formidable legacy. A powerful future.

1843

Frederick Trenck Stanley founds The Stanley Works, a small factory making bolts and hinges.

1857

Frederick Stanley’s cousin, Henry Stanley, founds the Stanley Rule & Level Company to manufacture measuring and layout tools.

1865

James Sargent and Halbert Greenleaf become partners and establish a manufacturing facility to make high-security locks for safes, vaults, and SCIFs.

1885

Charles Irwin patented the auger bit and formed the IRWIN Auger bit company.

1896

Thomas Briggs founds The Boston Stitch Wire Company (BOSTITCH®) to manufacture industrial staplers.

1906

PORTER-CABLE® founded by R.E. Porter, G. G. Porter and F. E. Cable to manufacture power lathes for woodworkers.

1907

Proto Tools is founded, making chisels and punches from the axles of Model T automobiles.

1910

S. Duncan Black & Alonzo G. Decker found Black & Decker in a small shop dedicated to manufacturing the world’s first portable power tool.

1915

LENOX® American Saw was founded by John Swanson, Carl Ericson, and Carl Davis to manufacture Hacksaw Blades in Springfield, MA.

1917

Black & Decker acquires patent for the pistol grip and trigger switch on its drill.

1918

Louis Moses founds the Société Franco-Américaine de Construction d’Outillage Mécanique (Franco-American Mechanics’ Tool Production Company). It would subsequently be known by its initials: FACOM.

1920

The Stanley Works & The Stanley Rule & Level Company merge to become a powerhouse in both hand tools and hardware.

1924

Raymond E. DeWalt invents the radial arm saw and founds his namesake company DEWALT INDUSTRIAL TOOLS.

1927

The Craftsman trademark was registered by Sears.

1930

Proto® introduces the first line of combination wrenches to the market.

1931

STANLEY® introduces the STANLEY® Magic Eye, the world’s first swinging automatic door operator.

1933

CRC-Evans founded as a leading oil and gas pipeline contractor.

1938

The Mechanics Tools and Forge Company is founded to manufacture the finest tools in the world, and would become Mac Tools®.

1957

Black & Decker enters the outdoor market with the first electric lawn edgers and hedge trimmers designed for consumers.

1958

Weidemar cabinets begin manufacturing in the United States under the name Vidmar®.

1961

Black & Decker introduces the world’s first cordless electric drill powered by nickel-cadmium cells.

1962

Vidmar® cabinets become part of the first photocopiers made by Xerox Corporation.

1962

Black & Decker introduces the world’s first cordless outdoor product, a cordless hedge trimmer.

1963

STANLEY® introduces the iconic PowerLock Tape Measure.

1964

Sonitrol® is founded, with an integrated audio sensor designed by a police officer.

1966

The Stanley Works is officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange as SWK.

1968

Lista® establishes U.S. operations to manufacture high-quality custom storage systems.

1974

STANLEY® begins its longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which has grown into one of the world’s largest nonprofit homebuilding organizations.

1975

STANLEY® introduced their first automatic sliding entrance door.

1979

Black & Decker introduces the DustBuster®, the world’s first handheld vacuum.

1980

STANLEY® designs and fabricates Platform Screen Doors for Orlando International Airport.

1992

CribMaster is established as a software company under the name WinWare.

1995

InnerSpace® begins providing supply/procedure carts cabinets and casework, small carts open storage, heavy-duty storage, and inventory management systems to medical facilities around the world.

1996

CribMaster introduces its first inventory management software platform into the market.

1998

CribMaster introduces its first industrial vending solution into the market.

1998

Inspired by the design of the computer mouse, the easy-to-use and ergonomic Black & Decker Mouse® Sander is launched.

2004

CribMaster introduces its first RFID point-of-use solution into the market.

2006

HSM is added to the STANLEY® Security business to provide advanced monitoring capabilities.

2008

Building on 100 years of quality tool craftsmanship, PORTER-CABLE® launches a new line of professional grade power tools for the tradesman.

2010

The Stanley Works and Black & Decker merged to become the world’s largest tools and storage company, the world’s second largest commercial electronic security business and the world’s second largest engineered fastening company.

2011

CribMaster inventory and asset management solutions added to Stanley Black & Decker’s growing advanced technology portfolio for industrial environments.

2011

STANLEY® continued to grow its security businesses by expanding into Europe with its acquisition of Niscayah.

2012

AeroScout® end-to-end location and telemetry solutions added to Stanley Black & Decker to further expand its growing suite of advanced tool and asset tracking systems.

2012

Powers® Fasteners, a worldwide pioneer in the fastening industry and leading supplier of masonry anchors and fastening systems in North America, was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker.

2013

Stanley Black & Decker acquired a 75% interest in Hefei INTACA Science-Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Intaca) a leading provider of hydraulic products and technology for the infrastructure market in China and other emerging markets.