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Werner Co.

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Werner Co., available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 27 November 2025
Werner Co.
Company typePrivate
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1922
FounderRichard D. Werner
Headquarters
Itasca, Illinois
,
United States
ProductsAluminum and fiberglass ladders, light-duty construction tools, fall protection equipment
ParentNew Werner Holding Co., Inc.

Werner Co. is a privately held producer and supplier of aluminum and fiberglass ladders, light-duty construction tools, fall protection equipment, and associated products. The company’s headquarters are located in Itasca, Illinois, while its customer service operations are based in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

History

Established in 1922 by Richard D. Werner under the name "R. D. Werner Co., Inc.," the business originally focused on metal moldings and emerged as a plastics extrusion pioneer during the metal shortages of World War II. Following the war, Werner redirected its efforts toward manufacturing aluminum ladders and introduced fiberglass ladders to its lineup in 1963. In 1997, the firm underwent a reorganization and sold a controlling interest to Investcorp S.A., an investment company.

In December 2005, Werner divested its Extruded Products Division to HIG Capital. That year, the organization recorded net revenues of $472.3 million. As of March 31, 2006, total assets were valued at $201 million while liabilities reached $473.4 million. On June 12, 2006, facing substantial debt, increasing material expenses, and the loss of a key client, Werner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Subsequently, on June 8, 2007, a creditor-led entity acquired the majority of the company’s assets.

Today, functioning as a subsidiary under New Werner Holding Co., Inc., Werner operates manufacturing plants, warehouses, sales offices, and distribution centers throughout the United States as well as in Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.

Werner has grown through strategic acquisitions including Better Built tool boxes in 2019 along with other brands like KNAACK and Youngman Group Ltd., broadening its product range and expanding its global presence.

External links