A History of Excellence

As we celebrate Woodworking Manufacturing Month this October, we reflect on the generations of industry partnerships and dedicated professionals whose work has shaped the modern world. Since 1935, Franklin Adhesives & Polymers, a division of Franklin International, has proudly supported the wood industry with high-quality products and expert solutions. Our commitment to innovation and excellence has made the Franklin name synonymous with superior adhesive products. Scroll to explore our legacy and discover how we’ve been driving progress in woodworking and beyond for nearly a century.

1935

We opened our doors as The Franklin Glue Company, launching the first ready-to-use liquid hide glue for fine furniture manufacturing. This unique formula required no heating or mixing, and could be applied at room temperature, unlike traditional technologies. It streamlined the gluing process and revolutionized the craftsmanship of wood-to-wood bonding.

1951

The Franklin Glue Company developed the first water-based, aliphatic resin glue, another proprietary formula that would change the woodworking landscape forever. From this development, the Titebond® brand was born and quickly became the preferred choice of wood furniture manufacturers and woodworking professionals alike.

1953

On Chestnut Street in the heart of downtown Columbus, Ohio, Franklin’s first polymer was developed. It was in this location that our Polymers Production Facility, specifically our Duracet® and Covinax® product lines, began manufacturing innovative base polymers. This core competency is an important part of our vertical integration and remains an essential part of our operations today.

1954

To accommodate significant growth and innovation, The Franklin Glue Company relocated just south of the city to 2020 Bruck Street. At this location, we would continue to expand our product development, production and packaging capabilities, and where our corporate headquarters still resides today.

1960s

During this time, we developed proprietary pressure sensitive adhesive technology specifically for tapes, labels and various types of graphic applications. In an effort to support new business opportunities, a new production plant was opened on-site with a focus on manufacturing wood glues, adhesives and sealants.

1970s

We entered the wood flooring market with revolutionary, solvent-based wood flooring adhesives, with a focus on Franklin 711. This formula provided superior adhesion and easy installation, allowing it to quickly become the industry standard in glue down wood flooring.‍

1971

Franklin International developed the first construction adhesive to pass the American Plywood Association’s AFG-01 (ASTM D 3498) performance standard for subfloor installations. AFG-01 requires that adhesives applied at the jobsite be strong, durable, resistant to extreme weather, and able to permanently fill material gaps. Franklin continues to be very heavily involved with the APA in furthering the testing, quality and performance of construction adhesives.

1991

Franklin developed and was first to market a one-part wood glue that passed the ANSI/HPVA Type II specification for water resistance. This launched our Titebond® II Premium Wood Glue to the retail market and inspired the Multibond® 2000 series of Industrial wood glues. We also launched a series of two-part Advantage® glues, providing additional performance for specific wood manufacturing applications.

2004

Committed to progressing the industry, Franklin developed the first one-part wood glue to pass the more stringent ANSI/HPVA Type I specification for water resistance. Titebond® III Ultimate Wood Glue was born, and this water-resistant formula created a new category of exterior woodworking. Today, Titebond® III continues to be the preferred choice for professionals in the industry.

2007

Franklin launched the first water-based construction adhesive program designed for construction, remodeling, and repair projects. Utilizing internal polymer development and proprietary manufacturing processes, we were able to produce high-performance, solvent-free alternatives to the traditional solvent-based programs.

2021

A new manufacturing facility in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, expanded Franklin’s caulk and sealant capabilities to support the increased demand of water-based formulations. Our team members offer years of high-level expertise, and the plant provides flexibility and streamlined operations, all of which has been a significant asset to Franklin.

2024

For over four decades, Franklin International supplied polymers to support Hexion’s PVA and EPI business. We're thrilled about the expansion of our operations into the Pacific Northwest regions of the United States and Canada, thanks to the acquisition of the Portland, Oregon facility and the innovative technology Hexion has developed. We look forward to the opportunity to provide more value with the addition of Hexion’s PVA and EPI Emulsion technology to our distinguished portfolio of adhesives for wood assembly. Read the official press release here.

Building Industry Bonds

Today, Franklin International is among the largest privately-held manufacturers of polymers, adhesives, and sealants in the United States — but we do more than sell adhesives. We solve technical problems, improve quality, enhance safety, accelerate manufacturing cycles, cut delivery times, and pioneer new product categories. Learn more about Franklin International and our company values on our corporate website.

Want to be part of the legacy?

Inspire lasting bonds — join the most trusted name in adhesion by applying to an open role on our careers page today.

Let's Stay Connected

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to check out the Newsroom for all the latest updates on upcoming shows, industry insights, and more.

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Held every October for the benefit of the industry at large, Woodworking Manufacturing Month is created and produced by the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) on behalf of its owner and sponsor, the Wood Industry Association (WIA). Learn more about WIA by visiting woodindustry.org.

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Franklin Adhesives & Polymers is a division of Franklin International.

About Franklin International: Established in 1935, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the U.S. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company maintains multiple manufacturing and distribution locations in the U.S. and a plant in Guangzhou, China. The company maintains two divisions: Franklin Adhesives & Polymers provides pressure-sensitive adhesives for labels, tapes and graphics applications, and adhesives for wood assembly markets, and the Construction Division manufactures Titebond® wood glues, construction adhesives, sealants and flooring products.