In 1933, the Harry Davies Molding Company began with only seven molding presses and three punch presses, located in downtown Chicago. This 1960's picture, in front of the molding facility at 1428 N. Wells St., lists the phenolic material molded at that time: Bakelite, Beetle, Durez, Durite, Makalot, Plaskon, and Resinox. The Harry Davies Company also molded the popular Daka-ware brand of ashtrays and cookware knobs and handles.
Davies Molding is now located in the western suburbs of Chicago, and its 99,000 square foot factory houses 72 presses, including thermoplastic injection molding, thermoset compression molding, transfer, and two-shot injection molding. We celebrated our 80 year anniversary as the largest manufacturer of insert-molded plastic knobs and handles this year, and recently took a picture outside the Carol Stream, IL location. Davies Molding still molds thermoset phenolic and thermoplastic knobs and handles, as well as custom components for the automotive, medical, oil & gas, and other industries. Want to learn more about Davies Molding's plans for the next 80 years? Check out the interview with Davies' president Derran Smith here.
