Zippo Family of Companies.
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of premium handmade knives that are passed down through generations. Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Case’s offerings span a wide range of product categories, from traditional folding pocket knives and fixed-blade sporting knives to production commemoratives and limited-edition collectibles.
History
The rich history of the company began in 1889 when four brothers – William Russell (W.R.), Jean, John, and Andrew Case (a.k.a. “The Case Brothers”) – began crafting and selling knives along a wagon trail in upstate New York. W.R.’s son, John Russell (Russ) Case, a former salesman for the Case Brothers brand, launched W.R. Case & Sons around the turn of the 20th century. Russ’s father served as a consultant to his son, helping stabilize the company’s early finances while building a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality cutlery.
In 1993, Zippo Manufacturing Company – maker of the world-famous Zippo® windproof lighter and another family-owned company based in Bradford – formed W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company to carry on the Case family brand legacy.
The company’s original knife concepts and manufacturing methods have earned awards and been featured in leading print publications, international trade organizations and events, television programs, and major motion pictures. A unique tang stamp dating system, used since the early days of its history, has made Case one of the most popular collectible knife brands in the world.
Today
The Case Collectors Club, with 18,000 active members, is the largest known knife collecting association in the world. Case’s commitment to quality is evident in the 125 pairs of hands required to craft a single knife. Case knives begin with carefully shaped handles made from a wide variety of genuine materials such as Brazilian cattle bone, stag horn, buffalo horn, mother of pearl, exotic woods, and stone. Brass, nickel, and silver components accentuate each design, resulting in knives that are not only beautiful but built to withstand the test of time and use.
Case knives are sold primarily through a network of authorized dealers, including hardware and home improvement retailers, specialty cutlery shops, fashion and accessory stores, catalog retailers, and others.
For more information about W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, visit CaseKnives.com.
We invite you to visit the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, Pennsylvania, where fans and collectors from around the world come together to learn about the rich history of Case knives and Zippo lighters.
Zippo Manufacturing Company acquired assets from Ronson in February 2010. Ronson had been marketing lighters since 1913 and offered a diverse line of pocket and torch-style lighters, as well as flame accessories.
History
Ronson Corporation, and later Ronson Consumer Products Company, were founded by the Aronson family. Originally, Louis V. Aronson owned and operated Art Metal Works in Newark, NJ, which opened in 1886. Art Metal Works manufactured various decorative metal items, including bookends, paperweights, desk sets, lamps, miniatures, and other finely crafted metal goods. Due to customer demand, Aronson began exploring the flame market and started producing lighters in the early 1900s.
In 1910, Aronson received a patent for an ignition system that produced sparks called the “Pist-o-liter,” and in 1913, he produced a pocket lighter called the “Wonderlite.” In 1928, Ronson obtained a patent for the revolutionary single-action “Banjo” lighter, which offered ignition and extinguishing in a single push. Mr. Aronson decided to focus solely on the lighter business and sold the Art Metal Works company.
Over the decades, Ronson Corporation and its various subsidiaries continued to develop multiple styles of pocket, multipurpose, and torch-style lighters using the registered trademark RONSON, as well as lighter fluid and butane fuel under the RONSONOL brand. The company also produced various accessories, including lighter flints and, from the beginning, many other consumer products. In the 1960s, Ronson Corporation sold its international operations, leaving the company with primarily North American operations and sales.
Today
In 2010, Zippo Manufacturing Company of Bradford, PA, acquired certain assets from Ronson, including the RONSON and RONSONOL trademarks and the products associated with them. Zippo did not acquire any part of the Ronson Corporation nor any corporate records or obligations.
The RONSON and RONSONOL brands are now part of the Zippo Manufacturing Company family of brands. The product line continues to include lighters, fuel, and related accessories, marketed and sold throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico in retail stores and online.
History
Established in 1978, Northern Lights has been lighting the world and beautifying homes with the warmth of candlelight for over 40 years. Our strong roots in the “art of candle making” have led to a distinguished reputation as a leading designer of luxury candles and artisan-made accessories. Our hand-poured candles are made in the United States with fine fragrances and essential oils. Our wax blends contain soy wax and other naturally based waxes. Our wicks are made from natural cotton. Our vessels are responsibly sourced and designed to be repurposed. This combination of quality components gives our artisan-made candles their clean-burning properties, superior fragrance throw, and lasting value.
Today
Zippo acquired Northern Lights in January 2019. The company and its employees remain based in Wellsville, NY.
For Zippo, the acquisition adds a diversified product line, new distribution channels, critical knowledge, and expertise in a fast-growing, on-trend category to the Zippo family of brands.
This partnership made perfect sense for Northern Lights founders Andy and Tina Glanzman, as Zippo and Northern Lights share aligned cultures, values, and positions. Both Zippo and Northern Lights are proud American manufacturers located in strong small-town communities in the United States, with a long-standing reputation for reliable and beautifully designed products.
Zippo will leverage its existing international channels to begin globalizing the Northern Lights brand and product offerings, with opportunities for further expansion.