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SENG COMPANY
Chicago, IL
est. 1874
Wendelin Seng, the founder of Seng Company, left Bremen in 1856 at the age of 27. Following his involvement in various other businesses in the Chicago area, Wendelin began making upholstered furniture. This line of work led him to open a metal parts company which would become Seng Company in 1874. Twenty years later, the Seng Company was incorporated, its main plant and offices located at 1450 North Dayton Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Upon Wendelin's death in 1896, his son, Frank Joseph (born December 22, 1869), took control of the company. Frank started work at his father's company as an office boy, later pursuing a business college education and graduating to the position of secretary in 1892 before his final rise to become president.
The business continued to stay in the family as Francis A. Seng began his journey from mail clerk in 1925 to acting president in 1946.
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Along with over 300 patents for various furniture devices including the sofa-sleeper, the Seng Company introduced the systematic production of metal parts to supply the growing industry of mass produced furniture and replace iron hardware forged by blacksmiths. Over the century that the company thrived, it grew to be the largest manufacturer of metal parts and fixtures for furniture makers.
The company also shifted production from civilian furniture manufacturing to producing munitions and parts for the country’s defense during both World Wars. Seng Company received the coveted
Army-Navy “E” Production Award five times for its service during World War II.
While the Seng Company is no longer involved in the furniture industry, the company name remains intact.
Sources: Chicago Tribune; Chicago Public Library Archival Collections; Seng Company Website (www.sengcompany.com)