Page 4 - Perko

The PERKO® Story

It was also around the time of Fred Perkins’ Marvin’s son Fred Perkins, named after his Our diverse press department utilizes a
move to Brooklyn in 1916 that his son, Louis great-grandfather, became the 4th variety of forming tools, including multi-
E. Perkins, began working with the generation of the Perkins family involved in stage, progressive tooling produced in our
company full time. In 1922, the now famous the company and quickly established tool room. Our large, conventional machine
“PERKO” trademark was introduced. himself as one of the marine industry’s most shop includes many secondary operations
knowledgeable authorities on navigational such as drilling, tapping, and assembly. A 1
In the late 1920’s, the company introduced light requirements. Fred started in 1969 separate machine shop houses a number of
copper and nickel plated products from its while still attending school and became modern, high speed automatic chuckers for
own plating department. When chromium active on a full time basis in 1973. He was high volume items, and our three separate
plating was perfected in the 1930’s, the first named assistant Vice President of polishing divisions assure the correct
Perko chromium-plated hardware manufacturing in early 1974 and in 1978 finishing procedure for each product.
appeared. As Perko’s reputation for quality became company Secretary. His Preface
increased, the company’s manufacturing background in engineering and electronics In 2005, our facility was rewired for a state-
facility expanded and enjoyed exceptional proved to be a welcome asset to help keep of-the-art computer network and enterprise
growth into the 1930’s. It was during the the product line up to date. Over the years resource planning (ERP) operation, which is
1930’s that Perko established itself as a full- the company had become better known for taking us into the next century. Expansion
time manufacturer of marine lights, its “PERKO” trademark. In 1976, it was continues with the substantial addition to
hardware, and accessories for the pleasure decided to change the company name to our foundry of an Investment Casting
boating market. This tremendous growth Perko Incorporated. operation. Our in-house printing, graphics,
created the need for more facilities. The and pre-press department produces almost
original one-story manufacturing plant in all of our printed materials from packaging
Brooklyn grew to five stories. Then six more materials, box labels, and instructions to full
buildings were added until finally there color catalogs and marketing materials. In
was no more room for expansion. total, careful planning over the years has
enabled us to become virtually self
In 1932, the Perkins Marine Lamp sufficient in every department.
Company corporate name was
changed to Perkins Marine Throughout all of our operations,
Lamp & Hardware Corporation, steps have been taken to efficiently
since by that time the company assure production of the highest
was becoming heavily involved in quality products. PERKO has been an
supplying the marine trade with not ISO registered company since 1994. Our
only navigation and decorative lights, but products are designed and manufactured
also a variety of hardware fittings for the to meet or exceed various standards,
maritime and pleasure boat market. including ISO 9001-2015, USCG, UL, NMMA
In 1979, a 35,000 square foot plastics and other industry standards as well as our
Louis Perkins became President in 1947 injection molding facility was added to own quality specifications. Quality control is
upon the passing of his father Frederick. It enable production of all of the polymer consistently maintained and every step
was also in that year that his son Marvin products and components for the diverse forward, from our founding to the present
joined the firm. In 1959, Louis and Marvin product line. day, has been undertaken with our
decided to move the entire operation to a customer in mind. Each PERKO product is
new facility in Miami, Florida. Lou’s first Fred became president in 1997. Then in thoroughly evaluated for safety,
objective at the new facility was to put 1999, Fred’s son Cameron joined the appearance, and function.
company and in 2002, his daughter
everything under one roof. This meant the Deborah joined the family business marking
elimination of subcontractors and the It has always been our objective to provide
addition of a whole range of in-house the 5th generation and setting the course our customers with the very best in marine
production capabilities—from mill material for the future. lights, hardware, and accessories at
to finished product. Today, PERKO is truly an integrated competitive prices. The marketplace has
manufacturer, almost completely rewarded our emphasis on quality with ever
Also in 1959, Leroy F. (Roy) Hollenbeck independent of outside vendors, with the increasing sales and reputation. Designed
joined Perko applying his background in and built to the highest specifications, all
manufacturing and production to assist in exception of a few basic items such as light PERKO products are backed with
coordinating the layout and supervise bulbs and electric wire. A whole range of outstanding warranties and our
construction of the new plant. Roy’s complete in-house capabilities, from commitment to excellence. It's a “PERKO
product design through manufacturing and
experience in plating, engineering, and Plus” you can count on!
design helped to improve the product line assembly of finished products, enables us to
and manufacturing techniques. eliminate most subcontractors and obtain To date, the PERKO facility spans 15 plus
better control of our product quality, cost, acres and over 440,000 square feet of
The new building opened in 1960 with and delivery. manufacturing capability. As an American
approximately 78,000 square feet putting all manufacturer, staying competitive today in
the manufacturing and offices on one floor Our sand casting foundries help us control a constantly changing global market place
the production of our high quality brass,
under one roof. That facility was expanded presents many challenges, but our vision is
to 90,000 square feet with the addition of a bronze, and aluminum castings, and offers steadfast as we move into the next century
non-ferrous foundry for brass, bronze, and assurance that the proper alloy is used for of business. Perko maintains its
aluminum casting in mid 1961. each job. commitment to quality and is proud of its
PERKO is the only domestic marine
By 1965, a 47,000 square foot extension was manufacturer producing die-cast bronze heritage as an American success story for
completed to house the sophisticated parts which are well known for strength, over 100 years.
die-casting system that now produces zinc
and bronze parts. uniformity and quality.

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Visit www.perko.com for installation instructions and technical drawings on most PERKO products. 3