American Hotel Register Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality goods and solutions |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Founder | Unknown |
| Headquarters | Vernon Hills, Illinois , United States |
Area served | United States and beyond (including government, healthcare, funeral services, higher education) |
| Products | Hotel registers, luggage carts, racks, maid carts, hospitality goods |
| Parent | American Hotel Register Company (parent of International Hotel Supply and aBundle.com) |
American Hotel Register Company operates as a producer and distributor of hospitality goods and solutions, with its main office located in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
History and background
Initially established in 1865 as a publisher specializing in hotel travel guides and railroad maps, American Hotel was officially incorporated in 1896 to manufacture patented hotel registers. Around the early 1900s, Thomas F. Leahy acquired the company, and leadership transitioned to his son, James F. Leahy Sr., in 1932. Under James Sr.'s direction, the firm expanded from printing into direct marketing and catalog sales, offering hotel-specific items such as luggage carts, racks, and maid carts. By the time of his passing in 1986, his sons—James Jr., Thomas, and Patrick—had begun evolving the enterprise into a comprehensive distribution company. By the late 1990s, American Hotel maintained 10 distribution centers across the United States, including one in Hawaii.
Over time, the company extended its reach beyond the hospitality sector to serve markets such as government, healthcare, funeral services, and higher education. After outgrowing its facility in Northbrook, Illinois near the former Glenview Naval Air Base, it moved to a larger site in Vernon Hills in 1998. Currently, American Hotel serves as the parent organization of International Hotel Supply and manages aBundle.com, catering to the growing vacation rental industry.
In 2021, Consolidated Hospitality Supplies Holdings (CHS), supported by HCI Equity Partners, purchased American Hotel’s inventory along with select North American operational assets, including its Registry brand.
External links
- Do Not Disturb changes are a sign of times, Suntimes.com, June 17, 2007