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J.L. Industries Company History

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About JL Industries and our Affiliates.

JL Industries is the flagship of the Activar Construction Products Group (ACPG).  Over the last 30 years JL and our affiliates have expanded in product lines and companies. JL Industries was incorporated in 1947.  Since that time JL Industries has been in the fire protection business providing fire extinguishers and cabinets to the commercial construction industry.  JL products continue to be highly specified.  We are recognized as an industry leader in providing a variety of high quality products for the architectural specialties and door hardware markets. We provide a wide selection of shipment locations for our customer’s convenience.

In 1978, Richard McNamara bought the company from previous owners.

JL Industries expanded its product line to include metal access doors for fire-rated and non- rated applications in 1980.  

In 1981, the first of our affiliate companies was acquired - Hiawatha Inc., of Bloomingon, MN which is well known for their line of architectural door hardware.

In 1984, the addition of Samson Products in Los Angeles CA provided us with greater access to the west coast market for fire protection equipment and increased manufacturing capabilities. 

JL Industries added to the line of products by adding aluminum floor grates and mats for commercial entrances in 1986.

In 1987, a new line of security access panels and fire extinguisher cabinets were introduced, expanding JL's line of detention and high-security applications.

JL added roof hatches in a variety of sizes and finishes to the product mix in 1988.

The range of construction product offerings through affiliates was expanded even further with the acquisition of Air Louvers in Los Angeles in 1991.  Air Louvers operates a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility for products including metal vision frames, louvers, astragals, and metal edges for wood and hollow metal doors.

In 1991, JL introduced and patented Fire-FX cabinets.  The first recessed fire rated cabinets for installation in fire rated wall systems.  Testing preformed by Warnock Hersey (ITS) met the requirements of UBC 43-6 (ASTM E814-83) for fire-barrier walls.

JL designed and started production of a new line of ADAC fire extinguisher and hose cabinets to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1993.

Thomas Enterprises in Ft. Myers, FL was purchased in 1996 and became our Southeast US outlet for a growing product line of fire safety products.  The Thomas facility features a state-of-the-art aluminum fabrication facility for fire extinguisher cabinets with a full range of door options and trim styles.

In 1998, an ACPG East Coast warehouse was opened to provide faster delivery of fire extinguishers, cabinets, access panels, roof hatches and Air Louvers lites and louvers to the Atlantic coast market. 

JL Industries introduced our line of life safety cabinets to house automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency oxygen for commercial applications in 1999.

In 2001, we opened our ACPG Atlanta warehouse which now stocks extinguishers cabinets, access panels; roof hatches door lites and door louvers.  

JL met the demands of the roofing industry with the addition of smoke vents, rooftop and equipment hatches as in 2002.

We introduced our ACPG South warehouse in Dallas, TX stocking extinguishers cabinets, access panels and roof hatches in 2004.

In 2005, James Reissner purchased the Activar Construction Products Group of companies from Richard McNamara.

In 2006, we achieved AIA certification to provide continuing education to industry professionals.

JL Industries and our Activar Construction Products Group affiliates continue to look for opportunities to increase our products penetration into the market with our distributors as well as acquisitions that meet our criteria.

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JL INDUSTRIES, INC. • 4450 W. 78TH STREET CIRCLE • BLOOMINGTON, MN 55435 • 1-800-554-6077
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