Globe Wernicke
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Furniture manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Cincinnati Globe Files Company, Wernicke Company |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Fate | Acquired by City Auto Stamping Company (Sheller-Globe Corporation) in 1955 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio , United States |
| Products | Military gear, office furnishings, modular bookcases |
The Globe-Wernicke Co Ltd was a Cincinnati, Ohio-based American firm specializing in furniture manufacturing. Established in 1893, the company focused on producing military gear alongside upscale office furnishings.
History
The formation of Globe-Wernicke occurred in 1899 when the Cincinnati Globe Files Company, founded in 1882, acquired the Wernicke Company of Minneapolis, which had been established by Otto Wernicke in 1893. Renowned for its top-tier bookcases, Desks, and various office furniture, the enterprise operated manufacturing facilities throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
A notable innovation was their patented "elastic bookcases," also known as modular or barrister's bookcasees—these stackable shelving units, typically measuring 34 inches in width, were crafted from fine woods such as oak, walnut, or mahogany. The design allowed for flexible assembly by stacking sections of different heights and depths. Today’s collectors highly value these glass-fronted cases as antiques, with resale prices often exceeding $900 compared to their initial retail cost near $75.
During World War II, Globe-Wernicke redirected 90% of its U.S. production capacity toward manufacturing military supplies.
Mergers and acquisitions
- In September 1955, the Toledo-based City Auto Stamping Company (later known as Sheller-Globe Corporation) acquired Globe-Wernicke.
- Globe-Wernicke expanded by purchasing the Weis Manufacturing Company in 1963 and subsequently rebranded itself as Globe-Weis Systems Company.
- The company became part of American Trading and Production Company in 1987, which operated it under the name ATAPCO Office Products Group.
- In 2000, Cardinal Brands Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, merged Globe-Weis with four additional brands to establish a unified office products division.
References
4. "Modern copies of Globe Wernicke bookcases" Estonian Brand