The foundation of Industrial Brands is a talented team of focused individuals and strategic partnerships working around the globe, all sharing a commitment to create exquisitely handcrafted hardware products. Our Allith Manufacturing Company and Durand’s Quality Door brands were conceived at the onset of the 20th century, during a time of rapid manufacturing developments that were transforming the nation. That era was emblematic of innovative products designed to last a lifetime, in contrast to today’s trend of planned obsolescence.
With a goal of manufacturing products that stand the test of time, our team has looked to the past and curated a unique collection of luxury sliding door hardware for discerning consumers, embodying Art Deco appeal and premium quality. Skilled craftsmen utilize the highest quality materials and finishes to bring our timeless products to life. These stunning Art Nouveau designs, popularized during the Art Deco period, are prized for their inherent quality and architectural beauty, creating a defining element in any room.
Allith Manufacturing Company dates to 1902 when it was founded by Henry Smith and Andrew Allen. Using a combination of their last names they created “Allith” and set up a small factory in Chicago to manufacture high-quality sliding door hardware. At the turn of the 20th century rapid growth opportunities ensued as new standards for fire safety led to the requirements for automatic tin-clad fire door installations in warehouses and factories throughout the world. Allith exploited this opportunity with the creation of a line of fire door track systems and soon became the preeminent manufacturer of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved hardware. A pioneer in the manufacture of precision hardware products, Allith was known as the originator of the round track hardware. The company quickly expanded production capabilities and soon had grown into one of the premier hardware manufacturers in the nation offering an extensive product line featuring fire door hardware, sliding door tracks, pocket door hardware, aircraft hanger door hardware, rolling ladders and garage door systems. The stunning examples of industrial design and craftsmanship inherent in the Allith product line are rarely found in today’s marketplace so Industrial Brands has re-introduced Allith sliding door systems to the architectural and design communities for the creation of a beautiful and authentic focal point in any commercial and residential application.
American Sheet Metal Works was incorporated in 1905 in Louisiana, and soon after, a new factory was built along Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans. The Durand brothers’ factory was ahead of its time, equipped with modern machinery for processing sheet metal and steel for their roofing, steel windows, and tin-clad fire door product lines. The “Durand’s Tin-Clad Fire Doors,” named after the company’s founders, set the standard for fire door construction in the early 20th century.
In 1904, new Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standards for fire safety led to requirements for automatic tin-clad fire door installations in warehouses and factories, spurring rapid growth. The distinctive Durand’s Tin-Clad Fire Door brass badge defines the brand, and even today, you can find these doors still in use in factories, warehouses, and mills across the country, more than 100 years after installation. These doors not only showcase unique architectural character but, when paired with Allith hardware, they become a stunning feature in any space.
