What C.H. Hanson does

C.H. Hanson is a fifth-generation, family-owned industrial manufacturer founded in 1866 in Chicago and currently headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. The company manufactures marking tools, steel stamps, industrial stencils, metal tags, layout tools, and safety products used by professionals in construction, manufacturing, utilities, municipal contracting, and specialty trades. Its technical foundation is rooted in in-house steel heat treatment and US-sourced steel, enabling durable custom steel stamps with proprietary designs such as high-shock alloy type holders with locking bar mechanisms and machined aluminum layout tools like the Pivot Square. The company operates two wholly-owned acquired brands: Palmgren (acquired October 2013), which provides machine shop equipment including vises, drill presses, band saws, and milling machines; and Superior Tool (acquired August 2020), which provides professional plumbing tools including wrenches, drain tools, and EasyCAM sewer inspection cameras.

The company's business model is built on direct-to-consumer e-commerce via its own website (over 5,800 SKUs across three brands) supplemented by B2B account sales with EDI processing, sales rep portal access, and special account pricing, as well as hardware distributor channels. Products are individually priced in the $20-$600 range with free standard shipping on orders over $90 and same-day shipping for in-stock items ordered before 1:00 PM CST. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of both standardized catalog products and custom-manufactured steel stamps and tags made to customer specifications. The company serves a horizontally diversified customer base across industrial manufacturing, construction, utilities/municipal contracting, plumbing, metalworking/machine shops, and specialty trades such as farriers and trophy makers, with no disclosed enterprise anchor customers or revenue concentration. Distribution is concentrated in the USA and Canada, with shipments restricted from Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and most international destinations.

Name

C.H. Hanson

Legal name

C.H. Hanson Company

Website

https://chhanson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1866

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

C.H. Hanson is a fifth-generation, family-owned industrial manufacturer founded in 1866 that produces steel stamps, stencils, metal tags, layout tools, and safety products, operating acquired brands Palmgren (machine shop equipment) and Superior Tool (plumbing tools) across over 5,800 SKUs for construction, manufacturing, utilities, and plumbing professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Marking and Identification Tools

NAICS

Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322), Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser) (IMALAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Labeling, Coding & Marking Systems (IMAHAOAE)

Keywords

• Industrial marking tools
• Steel stamps
• Metal identification tags
• Industrial stencils
• Layout tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Naperville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Tool Sales: Revenue generated from direct sales of steel stamps, stencils, tags, marking tools, layout tools, and safety products to professionals in construction, manufacturing, utilities, and municipal contracting sectors
2. Custom Product Manufacturing: Custom steel stamps and tags made to customer specifications for specialized industrial applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

C.H. Hanson manufactures and supplies industrial marking, stamping, and identification tools including steel stamps, brass and plastic stencils, metal tags, layout tools, marking devices, and safety products from its Naperville, Illinois facility. The company operates two wholly-owned acquired sub-brands: Palmgren (machine shop equipment such as vises, drill presses, band saws, lathes, milling machines) and Superior Tool (professional plumbing tools including wrenches, drain clearing tools, and EasyCAM sewer inspection cameras).

Product overview

C.H. Hanson is a fifth-generation family-owned company founded in 1866 that manufactures industrial marking, stamping, and identification tools. The company's core product portfolio centers on C.H. Hanson® branded steel stamps, industrial stencils (brass and plastic), metal tags (brass, aluminum, stainless steel), marking tools (pencils, crayons, markers, chalks), layout tools (flagging tape, stakes, stud finders), and safety products. The company operates two acquired brands: Palmgren® (precision machine shop equipment including vises, drill presses, band saws, lathes, and milling machines acquired 2013) and Superior Tool® (professional plumbing tools including SinkDrain Wrench, DrainStick, and EasyCAM sewer cameras acquired 2020). With over 5,800 SKUs across three brands, C.H. Hanson serves construction, manufacturing, utilities, municipal contracting, and plumbing industries. Products are primarily manufactured in the company's Naperville, Illinois facility with a commitment to USA-sourced materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Palmgren: Machine shop, tool room, and production floor equipment including machine vises, cross slides, rotary tables, arbor presses, bench grinders, drill presses, band saws, milling machines, and lathes. Acquired by C.H. Hanson in October 2013.
• Superior Tool

Products and services

• Steel Stamps Durable metal marking tools for imprinting letters, numbers, and symbols into materials such as metal, plastic, and wood. Available in Standard, Heavy Duty, and Rhino grades for various industrial applications including part marking, serial numbers, and tool identification for manufacturing and machine shop buyers.
• Industrial Stencils Brass and plastic stencils for marking crates, pallets, boxes, aisles, and floors. Includes traditional Reese interlocking brass stencils in sizes from 1/2 inch to 12 inches, plus PVC and LDPE plastic variants for industrial and construction marking applications.
• Metal Tags Identification tags in brass, aluminum, anodized aluminum, and stainless steel for valve and check tag identification. Available in blank or pre-marked formats in various shapes and sizes, including custom designs, for utilities, municipal, and industrial infrastructure buyers.
• Pivot Square Precision layout tool machined from aluminum that pivots to measure or mark any angle. Locks in angles for repetitive layout, determines roof pitches, indicates grade, and facilitates miter, level and plumb cuts for construction professionals.
• SubZero Flag Tape Flagging tape maintaining color, shape, and strength up to -40°F with UV protection. True 5 mil thickness for maximum durability in harsh weather conditions, used in construction, surveying, and forestry applications.
• Marking Tools Chalk, crayons, markers, pencils, and specialized marking devices for construction and industrial marking applications, serving tradespeople and industrial buyers.
• SharpDraw Mechanical Carpenter Pencil Heavy duty mechanical carpenter's pencil with carbon fiber reinforced graphite blade producing consistent 1mm line. Features hi-viz green handle for easy identification on work site, targeted at carpenters and construction professionals.
• El Marko Lumber Crayons Standard and Premier grade lumber crayons for marking lumber, metal, and concrete. Premier grade won't fade, smear, or melt up to 300°F, available in multiple colors for construction marking.
• Box Claw 2-in-1 Marker and Box Opener Patented 2-in-1 permanent marker and box opener combining convenience with safety. Features black chisel tip permanent marker on one end and retractable bladeless claw on the other, targeted at warehouse, shipping, and industrial users.
• Pneumatic Stamp Hammer Time-saving pneumatic marking tool operating at 40-60 PSI air pressure with interchangeable stamp holders for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" shank stamps. Increases steel stamp life and reduces operator fatigue in industrial marking applications.
• Pencil and Crayon Armor Protective holders for carpenter pencils and lumber crayons. Invented by Eric J. Mullins and manufactured by C.H. Hanson, these holders extend tool lifespan and provide convenient jobsite access for construction workers.
• EasyCAM Sewer Inspection Cameras Sewer inspection cameras purpose-built for plumbing professionals needing reliable field diagnostics. Part of Superior Tool brand, designed for professional plumbers performing pipe inspection and diagnosis.
• Layout Tools Aisle tape, barricade tape, flagging tape, squares, stake flags, and stud finders for construction layout and measurement applications across construction, surveying, and DIY buyer segments.
• Safety Products Signs, flags, and safety vests for industrial and construction site safety applications, targeting construction, industrial, and municipal worksites.
• Type Holders Steel type holders made of high shock alloy steel for one-step marking with interchangeable letters and numbers. Features unique locking bar preventing incorrect type insertion, used in industrial stamping operations.
• Palmgren Machine Shop Tools Precision workholding, abrasive finishing, drilling, sawing, and milling equipment brand. Includes machine vises, cross slide tables, rotary tables, arbor presses, bench grinders, drill presses, band saws, lathes, and milling machines for machine shops, tool rooms, and production floors.
• Superior Tool Plumbing Tools Professional plumbing tools brand including SinkDrain Wrench, ShutOff Wrench, BasinBuddy, DrainStick, and EasyCAM sewer inspection cameras. Purpose-built plumbing products for professional plumbers and service technicians.

Quantifiable outcome

• Same-day shipping for orders placed by 1:00 PM CST

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Rise Against HungerminorOthersHanson Helps Team partnered with Rise Against Hunger to pack meals for global hunger relief. On March 11, 2022, 90+ C.H. Hanson volunteers packed 10,152 meal bags during three shifts at the Naperville facility.
• Soldiers' AngelsminorOthersPartnership for Treats for Troops candy collection program supporting deployed service members and veterans. C.H. Hanson has collected thousands of pounds of candy for military personnel through this partnership.
• Toys for TotsminorOthersAnnual toy drive partnership where C.H. Hanson collects toys to distribute to less fortunate children during the holiday season through the US Marine Corps Reserve program.
• Breast Cancer Research FoundationminorOthersPink Stud Finder campaign where a portion of sales from each pink stud finder is donated to BCRF to support breast cancer research.
• Eric J. Mullins (Pencil & Crayon Armor Inventor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing and manufacturing partnership for Pencil Armor and Crayon Armor products invented by Eric Mullins. The inventor approached C.H. Hanson to bring his innovations to market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Markal / LA-CO Industries: Markal (owned by LA-CO Industries) makes industrial paint markers, crayons, and lumber marking products — directly competing with C.H. Hanson's El Marko crayons, SharpDraw pencil, and Hansco-Mark marker lines for construction and metalworking trades.
• Brady Corporation: Brady Corporation is a direct competitor in industrial labeling, marking, safety identification, and signage — overlapping with C.H. Hanson's tags, stencils, and safety product lines for industrial and facilities customers.
• Ideal Industries: Ideal Industries manufactures electrical tools, supplies, and identification products (including IDEAL branded wire markers and labels) — overlapping with C.H. Hanson's tag and labeling business for utilities and electrical contractors.
• Klein Tools: Klein Tools is a multi-generational, family-owned US manufacturer of hand tools for trades, sharing C.H. Hanson's heritage positioning and overlapping in layout tools, screwdrivers, and other professional-grade hand tools.
• Marshalltown Company: Marshalltown is a long-standing family-owned US manufacturer of construction layout tools (trowels, levels, squares) — directly comparable to C.H. Hanson's Pivot Square, layout tools, and construction-products segments.
• DYMO (Newell Brands): DYMO, owned by Newell Brands, makes industrial and professional labeling solutions including industrial label makers and consumable labels — directly comparable to C.H. Hanson's industrial stencil and tag product lines.

Emerging players

• Wilton Tools (Walter Surface Technologies / Columbus McKinnon): Wilton and Walter Surface manufacture vises, clamps, and metalworking tools — directly competing with Palmgren's machine shop and workholding product lines in industrial distribution channels.

Broad incumbents

• Milwaukee Tool (Techtronic Industries): Milwaukee Tool, owned by Techtronic Industries, is a major power and hand tool manufacturer for trades; it competes indirectly with C.H. Hanson/Palmgren in professional-grade hand tools and is significantly better capitalized for innovation.
• Stanley Black & Decker (Industrial): Stanley Black & Decker's Industrial segment includes Stanley, DeWalt, Irwin, and Lenox hand tools and cutting tools — a broad incumbent that competes with both C.H. Hanson's hand tools and Palmgren's saw and abrasive products at higher marketing scale.
• 3M (Industrial Adhesives & Marking): 3M's Industrial segment includes specialized tapes, markers, labeling, and worker safety products — serving overlapping construction/manufacturing/utility customers as a broad incumbent with much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheCHHanson
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@c.h.hanson
• Facebookfacebook.com/chhanson1866
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ch-hanson-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialchhanson

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C.H. Hanson