Palmgren Marks 100th Anniversary

Palmgren marks its 100^th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of innovative and patented products for the metalworking industry. Its founder, Clarence Palmgren, is credited with the design and manufacture of the first machine vises, cross slides and rotary tables. His designs significantly increased efficiency and productivity in the metalworking industry worldwide.

The company’s first product was the angle machine vise followed by traditional drill press vises and then a complete line-up of machine and milling vises. In the early 1950s, the company’s rotary tables and cross slide tables were designed, which were ideal for transferring workpieces from one machine position to another without losing squareness or alignment.  These tables also increased the usefulness and capabilities of all the Palmgren vises.

The company supported the World War II effort by supplying the government with machine vises and aircraft propeller service equipment as well as patented underwater arc-oxy cutting and welding equipment for the Navy.

During its first 20 years, the company, located on Chicago’s south side, was originally called Chicago Tool & Engineering Co. until it was re-branded with the family’s name. It later moved north and remained family owned until 1997. In October 2013, the company was acquired by CH Hanson, one of the nation’s oldest manufacturers and family run for five generations and is now one of Hanson’s family of brands.