A history rich with tradition…
Forkardt
Forkardt is one of the most respected names of workholding products in the world. Founded by Paul Forkardt in 1923 in Duesseldorf, Germany, Forkardt GmbH pioneered such ideas as the use of centrifugal force compensation and automatic chuck lubrication. When Mr. Forkardt passed away in 1935 at the age of 49, his brother, Robert, took over as head of the company.
In 1939, Mr. Newton A. Woodworth established the N.A. Woodworth Company near Detroit, Michigan with 25 employees, but at peak production during World War II, his company employed 6,000 people at several sites and was the biggest producer of precision parts for Wright Whirlwind engines. Woodworth also produced a range of precision tools and gauges. Upon Mr. Woodworth’s retirement, the operations continued to function as a family-owned business and the core business products centered around workholding devices.
On March 1, 1984, Illinois Tool Works inc. acquired the N.A. Woodworth Company. Its name was changed to ITW Woodworth, but the company continued to maintain a leading edge in the market of precision workholding devices. In August of 1995, ITW Woodworth acquired SP/Sheffer of Traverse City, Michigan. This acquisition opened new markets and broadened the product lines previously manufactured by ITW Woodworth. The combined efforts of ITW Woodworth and SP/ Sheffer resulted in a new division within ITW, the ITW Workholding Division, of which the Forkardt operations were a key part. In May, 2013, Hardinge Inc. purchased the Forkardt operations from ITW.
Hardinge
Hardinge Workholding has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The company was founded by Franklin Hardinge in 1890 in Chicago, Illinois. Originally, it focused on designing and manufacturing precision collets, which are specialized holding devices used to secure workpieces in machine tools such as lathes and milling machines. Throughout the early 20th century, Hardinge continued to expand its product line and reputation for precision engineering. The company’s collets became widely recognized for their accuracy and reliability, earning Hardinge a prominent place in the machine tool industry.
In the following decades, Hardinge expanded its offerings beyond collets to include a comprehensive range of workholding solutions. This included precision chucks, rotary tables, indexers, and other devices designed to securely hold workpieces during machining operations. Hardinge’s commitment to innovation and quality helped it maintain its position as a leading provider of workholding solutions in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics manufacturing.
Over the years, Hardinge has also grown through acquisitions, adding complementary products and technologies to its portfolio. One notable acquisition was the purchase of the German-based Forkardt company in 2013, which enhanced Hardinge’s capabilities in chuck and workholding technology. Today, Hardinge Workholding, as part of the Hardinge Inc. family, continues to develop and manufacture advanced workholding solutions to meet the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. Its products are known for their precision, durability, and ability to improve productivity in machining operations around the world.
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