Frantz celebrates centennial anniversary: Sterling company invites employees, retirees to luncheon

STERLING – Frantz Manufacturing celebrates its centennial anniversary this year.

The company, started in 1909 by Peter Frantz as a producer of building hardware, now manufactures conveyor bearings and steel balls.

Over the years, though, Frantz has dabbled in a bit of everything – from garage doors to toys.

In 1928, Frantz entered the garage door business; in 1939, it began to make conveyor wheels as part of its garage door operations.

Then, in 1947, the Sterling Ball Plant opened. The bearing division started production in 1971.

Although the garage door division was sold in 1994, Frantz continues to manufacture bearings, wheels and balls that are used in a variety of places, including conveyors, automobiles, and drawer slides.

This year, the company began to make conveyor rollers.

"We got into a lot of different products – we changed with the times," Executive Vice President Chuck Musgrove said. "At one point, we even made toys. We're always thinking of new products to make."

It's that ability to adapt that's seen Frantz through both lean and fat years during the past century, Musgrove said. That, and the employees.

The company's work force has shrunk in the last decade, along with sales, but Musgrove attributes its staying power to the dedication of 95 or so full-time employees.

"Frantz takes pride in the skills, talent and dedication of its work force," Musgrove said.

The company will celebrate its anniversary with those employees, as well as retirees, on Friday with a luncheon. Retirees can call 815-622-2114 or 815-622-2404 for more information.

On the Web

For more information on Frantz Manufacturing, go to www.frantz-mfg.com online.