Company History
In February of 1932, Daniel M. Lang supplied his first customers. An engineer at Snap-On Tools, Mr. Lang started producing thickness gauges and replacement honing stones in his basement workshop on Quincy Avenue in Racine. Snap-On Tools, then a young company, was among the first of his customers. 78 years later, A & E continues to supply quality automotive hand tools to Snap-On, Sears, Mac, and Matco under their brand names and thousands of other customers in the automotive and retail markets. GROWING IN RACINE, WI In 1933 they moved to 1338 Clark Street where the workforce was increased to five, including Mr. Lang's two sons, Daniel D. and John W. Lang. Four more moves were made to get to the present location in the 21st St. Industrial Park. The final move was in 1985 to the present 90,000 sq. ft. plant and home office at 5501 21st St. PRODUCT GROWTH During World War II, A & E provided the government with 37mm fuses and precision parts for local electrical equipment. Shortly thereafter, they patented a Ratcheting Box Wrench, improved their line of thickness gauges, dropped the honing stone line and eventually added socket wrenches and hydraulic valve lifter devices among other automotive tools produced with automatic screw machines and other machining operations. A FAMILY COMPANY Upon the death of the founder Daniel M. Lang in 1960, John W. Lang was named President and Daniel D. Lang was named Vice President of Manufacturing, a position he held until his death in 1972. During the 21 years of John W. Lang's Presidency, the company brought many improved tools to the manufacturing forefront including the "Offset" Ratcheting Box Wrench. John R. Lang became the 3rd generation President in 1982. During his tenure the first major acquisition provided the Kastar line of specialty automotive tools, giving A & E its own corporate brand name and an entrance into the consumer arena. In 1990, John R. Lang became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer naming Daniel R. Peterson first non-family President and Chief Operating Officer. Twenty years later, they continue at the helm of now A & E Incorporated, which has two business units: A& E Hand Tools and Eckmann Custom Products. John Wm. (Ian) Lang represents the 4th generation as Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for A& E Hand Tools. A & E’s corporate brands are: Kastar, Star, and Hazet-NA. RACINE AREA MANUFACTURERS AND COMMERCE An active Board of Directors sits between the Management of the Corporation and the Lang Family Council, which maintains ownership. Sandra P. (Sandy) Lang is Chairman of the Family Council and President of the Lang Family Foundation, established as the philanthropic arm of the corporation in 1996 in memory of John W. & Helen Lang. During the past 10 years, the Foundation has granted scholarships to 42 Racine area students and has supported Racine's non-profit organizations in the areas of Social Services, Arts, and Education. DEDICATED EMPLOYEES Highlighting the company's teamwork with Racine, through all 78 years, is a steady, loyal and dedicated workforce. Over 25% of the current employees have worked there in excess of 20 years. The workforce is exemplified by The 20-Year Club whose roster of 65 members includes nine 40+ year employees and 15 who have worked there over 30 years. Through their unfaltering dedication to quality and teamwork, A & E's Racine-Made Products are now distributed through hardware stores, automotive chain stores, warehouse distributors, and mobile jobbers across the globe. |