Stolle History

Stolle Machinery has a rich history that can be traced back 150 years. During this time, the companies that are part of Stolle today developed many of the technologies and processes that have become the standards of metal packaging around the world. From major names in aluminum to small family-named machining companies, Stolle is proud to recognize our legacy companies, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of innovation and growth.
1870
Fuchs & Lang is founded in New York City

1890
Fuchs and Lang begins building lithography machinery in East Rutherford, NJ which eventually becomes the Rutherford Machinery Division

Borden establishes a machine shop at their creamery in Norwich, NY

1900
Fuchs & Lang builds the first rotary metal decorating press, and in 1911 they build the first four color tube printer - the predecessor of the modern can decorator

1920
Borden machine shop moves to their Randolph, NY creamery - eventually becomes the Randolph Can Machinery operations

Fuchs & Lang is merged with other companies to become the General Printing Ink Co.

1930
The first steel beer can is introduced by the Krueger Brewing Company

1940
General Printing Ink Co. is renamed Sun Chemical Corporation

1950
Aluminum beer cans (7 oz.) are introduced by the Coors Brewing Co.

1960
Ralph J. Stolle incorporates The Stolle Corporation in Sidney, OH

Ermal ("Ernie") Fraze of Dayton, OH patents the "integral rivet" that makes ring pull ("pop top") beverage cans possible

First pop-top beer can introduced by Iron City Brewing

First DWI ("Drawn While Ironed") aluminum beer cans (12 oz) are sold by Hamm's Brewery

Ragsdale Brothers Tool and Die established in Denver, CO

1970
The Stolle Corporation is acquired by ALCOA

"Ecology" easy-open end (stay-on tab) is introduced by Falls City Brewing

Ragsdale Brothers is acquired by Borden

1980
Standun Metalforming Systems of Rancho Dominguez, CA is acquired by Sun Chemical Corp.

Sun Chemical Corp. becomes Sequa Corporation

ALCOA acquires Borden can machinery operations (Randolph) and establishes ALCOA PACKAGING MACHINERY (APM)

1990
Can Industry Products in Canton, OH is acquired by Sequa Can Machinery

2000
Reynolds Aluminum sells its can machinery operations to APM

FORMATEC Tooling Systems in Dayton, OH is sold to Sequa Can Machinery

Redicon Corporation in Canton, OH is acquired by APM

Preferred Machining Corp. in Englewood, CO is acquired by APM

ALCOA sells APM to holding company and management, company is renamed Stolle Machinery Company

Sequa Can Machinery is acquired by Stolle Machinery Company

Omnitech Intl. in Denver, CO is acquired by Stolle Machinery

2010
Stolle acquires CCH Engineering in Carlisle, UK and creates Stolle U.K. as well as Stolle Global Systems

The Stolle Canton Machining Center is created from the assets of the Mercier Tool & Die Company

The Stolle Dayton Machining Center is established with the acquisition of Ultra Punch of Dayton, Inc.

Stolle establishes a facility in Shanghai, China and expands operations in Carlisle, UK and Ohio, USA

Stolle adds thermal products manufacturing facilities in the UK and Poland with the acquisition of EMS

Stolle Guangdong opens near Guangzhou, China to serve the expanding Chinese can industry

Can conveying systems are added to the Stolle product line with the acquisition of ECI Mechanical and Electrical Engineers in the UK

The acquisition of MBR Tool in Chicago further increases Stolle's precision machining capabilities to help ensure parts quality and timely delivery

2020
Stolle increases their precision machining capabilities in the Dayton area with the acquisition of Signature Tooling Inc.
