Top of Site > Company Information > Company Histories > Hempe

Hempe of WI

Company History

The following is taken from the firm's web site:

It was 1929 when Harold Hempe opened his woodworking shop which specialized in storms and screen doors. Years later he accompanied his cousin Harry Zeeman, (Founder of Empire Level) on a trip to Chicago where he met with a Sears buyer who was purchasing wooden levels from Zeeman. When asked by the buyer, What can you make for Sears? Harold looked about the office and said, I can make a better miter box for you. These proved to be prophetic words, and in 1943 Hempe supplied its first miter box to Sears.

Since that time Hempe Manufacturing Co. has grown to be the World Leader in the manufacture, sales, and distribution of hand operated miter boxes. Over the years Hempe has added additional product lines to become a major supplier of hand tools to the hardware industry. In addition to its full line up of miter boxes, Hempe also manufactures and distributes full lines of specialty tools, plumbing tools (including the patented Pulse Auger), line reels, and clamps.

Hempe's growth and success has been a result of its commitment to superb customer service, product innovation and the offering of quality hand tools at fair prices.

Products

The firm made wooden clamps for Sears (1960s?), sold under the Craftsman brand, and composite clamps for Wetzler (1970s and 80s).

I believe that they also made the Stanley commemorative wooden clamps (1990s).

I also believe that that made clamps sold by A and A, based on similarities in design.

last revised and validated