06/07/2010
Stocker Hinge Is Selling Miles Of Hinges
Stocker Hinge was recently awarded a yearly contract to supply over 43.5 miles of continuous hinge to a bi-fold door manufacturer. The determining factor for getting this contract was quality and lead-time. Since JIT programs are so prevalent these days, Stocker Hinge is in a great position to meet the deadlines for all customers because of their domestic fabrication and Midwest location. If you need hinges and you need them fast, call Stocker Hinge and talk to a customer service agent today at 1-800-631-2600.

05/10/2010
Stocker Hinge Is Awarded A Large Contract
STOCKER HINGE is pleased to announce it has been awarded the design and manufacturing package to produce a custom 2 inch double wrap hinge designed to be used on a specialized locker/storage unit for high security municipality applications. As one of America’s largest producers of storage products and material storing solutions, this global customer sought out Stocker Hinge because of Stocker’s superior engineering capabilities and quality craftsmanship. If you have a tough application you need to secure, give Stocker Hinge a call at 1-800-631-2600.

04/12/2010
Stocker Hinges is Keeping Up With Technology
Stocker Hinges has the capability of working with customers that do business through a Company Portal. Typically companies use portals for part forecasting, orders and accounting functions, new delivery date requirements and new releases. The use of Portals helps improve the speed and efficiency of the interaction between companies and also helps the companies go paperless to improve the environment. If you are looking to work more efficient, call Stocker Hinges for your next hinge application.

03/05/2010
Stocker Hinges Saves The Show
Stocker Hinges and their on time delivery recently saved the show for a company in the entertainment business. The customer was in a bind and needed hinges quickly or else the show’s opening would be in jeopardy. Stocker Hinges delivered the product ahead of the schedule and gave the customer more than enough time to complete preparations for their show. A custom hinge like this one has a typical lead-time of 3-4 weeks. Stocker Hinges was able to cut it nearly in half for this particular order. Call your Customer Service Technician for fast and exceptional quality hinges at a good price.

02/06/2010
Special Hinge Application Brings In New Customer
Stocker Hinge announces the development of a new 180 degree continuous "drop-stop" hinge design for a major power systems manufacturer. Used on utility poles, this design is specified to hold the enclosure door in a safe open position, even in a high wind conditions. Stocker Hinges prides itself on its technical ability to solve difficult applications. Contact your Stocker Hinge sales rep for more information at 1-800-631-2600.

01/11/2010
Standard Hinges at Stocker Hinge
I’m sure you’ve heard of Stocker Hinges, but do you know what types of hinges we make? Here are just a few of the hinges we make. The most popular hinge is the Continuous Hinge. Some of the design advantages of continuous hinges are; uniform strength throughout entire length, smooth pivotal action, easy and accurate alignment, many load bearing points, increased product rigidity, and any length, width and finish is available. Next is the Constant Torque Hinge. These hinges are designed to provide constant torque throughout their full range of motion and are ideally suited to applications requiring the ability to hold objects at various positions. Typical applications are; Office equipment, medical cabinets, computer peripherals, access panels, industrial enclosures, equipment guards, toolboxes and store fixtures. Butt Hinges consist of two plates attached to abutting surfaces and joined by a pin. A door and a door jam is a good example of this application. These hinges also come in a take-apart style for easy disassembly. Call your Customer Rep to find out how Stocker Hinges can simplify your application today.

12/09/2009
STOCKER HINGE AND THE UNKNOWN FACTOR
Stocker Hinge, a division of E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Company, is the worlds preferred provider of standard and custom continuous, butt, and spring loaded hinges. Continuous hinge, otherwise known as piano hinge, has intrigued engineers and designers for decades because the strength and versatility fulfill the requirement beyond all other movable fasteners. From tool boxes to fighter planes, Stocker Hinges have performed their required tasks without failure for one simple reason, UP FRONT DESIGN! The diverse offering of material gauge and type, allow us to produce hinges beyond the traditional hardware store variety. From .025 to .090 steel thickness, stainless steel and aluminum, Stocker Hinge can design a hinge for any application. In particular, our spring loaded hinges demand attention to detail that most engineers overlook. While a spring hinge often takes the place of other more costly components such as gas springs, latches and lid stays, it’s imperative to get our design team involved at the very beginning. Years of experience have shown that while most product engineers know what they want from a spring loaded hinge, few calculate the “Unknown Factor” into their design. The “Unknown Factor” is what happens when a design is taken beyond it’s anticipated limits. For example, the door on a refrigerated vending machine must remain closed to seal in the cold air and keep it’s contents fresh. The vending machine designer knows that under normal operation the door will be opened approximately 100 degrees for easy access to it’s contents. However, the “Unknown Factor” is what happens when someone opens the door beyond the required 100 degrees. While not necessary to access it’s contents, someone might lean against the door and open it beyond the anticipated 100 degree requirement. This would over-stress the spring, causing it to either fracture or what’s called, “take a set”, meaning it will no longer close the door and provide a tight seal.This is where our decades of design experience have excelled in making sure our spring hinges do not fail. We look beyond what should happen to what could happen, to the “Unknown Factor”. So next time your looking to eliminated costly components or to speed up your assembly operation, look to Stocker Hinge, the industry leader in the manufacture of continuous, butt and spring loaded hinges, and, the “Unknown Factor”!

10/30/2009
Stocker Hinges, Helping Save Lives!
Stocker Hinges, is pleased to have been selected as a hinge supplier for the Oshkosh Corporation $1.06 billion M-ATV program. The order for 2,244 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles, or M-ATV as they’re known, is the next generation of MRAP or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected military transports being deployed in Afghanistan. While the MRAP's have done a terrific job of saving lives in Iraq, the rugged mountainous terrain in Afghanistan are much more brutal, requiring a newly designed independent suspension with off road capabilities. They hold 4 personnel plus 1 gunman and can cruise at speeds up to 65 MPH over a range of 320 miles. They even can run with flat tires.



The M-ATV vehicle, at 25,000 pounds, employs the latest in ETP (explosively formed penetrator) and rocket-propelled grenade armour that consists of a variety of high-strength materials, including ceramic composites. It has a V shaped hull and the seats are suspended from the ceiling to mitigate the effects of a blast from a road side bomb.
One of the key criteria in winning the M-ATV award was being able to achieve the demanding accelerated delivery requirements by the (DOD) Department of Defense. Oshkosh is expected to deliver the first 2,244 M-ATV's by February 2010. By July 2009, they had supplied 46 units, exceeding the first deliver target of 45, and are on track to build as many as 1,000 per month by December. Additional orders are anticipated as all branches of the military replace there aging fleet of Humvee's.
Stocker's first order was received on the ability to deliver parts faster than the competition and it was a timely fit for it's recently announced reduced lead-time capabilities. Since the beginning of 2009, the majority of Stocker's orders have shipped in one to two weeks.
Oshkosh management has expressed it's thanks to all those involved in getting these M-ATV's into theater. The Stocker hinges are used on two of the vehicles exterior storage compartments.

09/01/2009
Stocker Hinges offers a total package of competitive prices, exceptional quality and short lead times
In today's unprecedented economic times, Stocker Hinges offers a total package of competitive prices, exceptional quality and short lead times on our wide range of standard, custom and specialty hinges and assemblies. As the preeminent hinge supplier to the marketplace, Stocker is ISO9001:2000 certified and will respond quickly to meet your requirements.

With companies keeping their inventories to absolute minimums, we know that lead time is important to you and are excited to announce the following initiatives:

* Our most popular series of 1-Dash plain continuous hinges, in various materials, are available from stock for immediate shipment. The majority of these items are carried in 72.00" lengths with unstaked pins.
* Additional hinge series that we consider to be "standard” 1-Dash items, but are not part of the stocking program, will be available for shipment in 2 weeks or less.
* Standard hinges with simple secondary modifications such as perforating, forming, offsetting, swaging etc. will ship in 3 weeks or less. An additional week may be required if painting, plating or other outside service is necessary.
* The lead time for hinges requiring new tooling, special non-stocked raw material, or complex production methods will continue to be quoted on an individual basis.

Over the past few months, we have continued with our implementation of lean manufacturing practices and process improvements that will allow us to exceed your expectations.

For additional information, and to determine which items will be available for immediate shipment, please contact our Customer Service Department by telephone at 800-631-2600, fax 708-485-0058, by email sales@stocker.com, or visit the product pages of our website at www.stocker.com .

07/18/2009
Stocker Hinges Celebrates No Lost Time Accidents
On July 18, 2009, Stocker Hinges, a business unit of E. R. Wagner Manufacturing Company, marked their one year anniversary with no lost time accidents. Employees gathered for a luncheon with CEO Jerry Boll to celebrate and be recognized for this outstanding achievement.

Brian Stocker, Operations & Administration Manager, stated, “Workplace safety is a team effort requiring active participation from all employees, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment is reflected in everything we do. We are excited to have reached this important milestone and look forward to exceeding our previous record of over 6 years with no lost work days.”

03/05/2009
Stocker Announces Stainless Steel Torque Hinges
Stocker Hinges, the leader in continuous, custom and butt hinges, has released the first in a new line of 316 stainless steel constant torque friction hinges.

The new TL Series is similar to our TB Series and is equipped with the same ReellTorq technology as our full line of friction hinges. They are all designed to provide a smooth, quality feel of movement with constant torque through more than 20,000 cycles.

Hold-in-place applications for this option are mainly in the medical, food and marine/RV markets. However, the durability of 316 stainless steel also provides manufacturers of other devices, particularly outdoor devices, with an attractive design option.

Contact your Stocker Hinges Customer Service Representative or your local Stocker field representative for pricing and availability.

04/23/2008
Stocker Announces Premium Express Guaranteed (PEG) Program
Stocker introduces a new super-fast manufacturing program. The PEG backbone is an inventory of 56 eight foot long unfinished hinges in a wide variety of leaf thicknesses and open widths, in steel, 304 stainless and aluminum. Contact your Stocker representative or our Customer Service Department for a menu of available PEG inventory.

A work cell of four presses has also been dedicated to performing standard operations on the PEG inventory, including cutting to length, perforating, forming, swaging and staking the hinges to customers' specifications.

The promise is that custom hinges produced from PEG inventory and requiring up to three standard operations will ship in 5-7 working days after receipt of order. Those requiring four or more standard operations will ship within 7-12 working days. Products requiring base hinges which are not included in the PEG inventory and/or those requiring finishing, degreasing, spring-loading, special packaging or other non-standard operations will be shipped as quoted.

If you need your hinges in a hurry, the PEG program is for you. Contact your representative or the Stocker Customer Service Department for program limitations. Especially for new customers, we accept and recommend Visa, American Express or MasterCard. And we promise super-fast quote turnaround and product shipment.

Give us a try the next time you're in a bind!

06/27/2007
Exciting New Product Line introduced!
Stocker hinges, a business unit of E. R. Wagner Manufacturing Company, is proud to introduce a new line of constant torque friction hinges. Designed to provide constant torque throughout full range of motion, this family of twelve series is ideally suited to a wide variety of applications requiring the ability to hold objects at various positions. In addition, they provide smooth movement for a quality “feel”.

Applications include office equipment, cabinets, tool boxes, flat screen monitors, medical and computer peripherals, access panels, equipment guards, store display fixtures, boat hatches, toy boxes, coolers and much, much more. Torques are available from 0.18 N-m (1.59 lb-in) to 8.00 N-m (70.81 lb-in) with configurations ranging from typical “door” type hinges to inserts intended for over-molding into plastic parts.

Contact Stocker at (800)631-2600 for more information or your local Stocker representative for a demonstration of the product line in person.

04/25/2007
Stocker Hinges Receives Safety Awards
The Workers’ Compensation Trust of Illinois today presented Stocker Hinges with both the No Lost Time Accidents Safety Award, in recognition for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and achieving no lost time accidents in 2006, and the Award for Safety Excellence, in recognition for the management of an outstanding safety program. An additional safety award was presented to Stocker Hinges today by the Tooling & Manufacturing Association for having achieved an outstanding safety record during 2006.

Stocker Hinges places a strong emphasis on the safety and health of its employees and has currently achieved over 2000 days with no lost time accidents.

10/03/2006
5 Years No Lost Time at Stocker Hinges!
Stocker Hinges, a business unit of E.R. Wagner Mfg. Co., today reached 5 years with no lost time accidents, a notable achievement for a manufacturing company. Stocker Hinges is committed to maintaining a progressive safety program with the belief that our employees are our greatest asset.

Hinges and Stampings Division President Bill Hayes stated, “Our safety record is a reflection of our commitment and desire to maintain a safe environment in all areas of the business. We are all very proud and excited to attain a level of 5 years with no lost time, which has been achieved through a great team effort from everyone.”

08/15/2006
Join Stocker Hinges in Atlanta for IWF 2006 Aug. 23rd - Aug. 26th
Stocker Hinges / E. R. Wagner Mfg. will be displaying at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta August 23rd through August 26th. We'll be occupying booth 2730 along with Haydock Casters / E.R. Wagner Mfg. Held every other year, IWF is a "must visit" for the woodworking industry, and over 40,000 people are expected to visit the show this year from over 79 different countries. For information on the show, please vist www.iwf2006.com

07/19/2006
New Representative Northeast Indiana
We’re pleased to announce the addition of Doug Dowling of J. E. Shireling , Inc. to serve customers in the northeast corner of Indiana. Please reference our representative list and visit with a Stocker representative in your area. Other recent additions include PAR Associates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; J. E. Shireling Inc. in Michigan; Espey and Associates in Ohio and West Virginia; and Jim Fike of SE Regional in Florida. Complete contact information for your area can be found on our contact page.

05/05/2006
LifeLube™ Pins
Stocker Engineering recognized the problems associated with the lack of lubricity in parts requiring outside finishing and created LifeLube ™ wire to economically eliminate binding and galling issues with parts that are plated, painted, anodized, passivated or degreased. Anodized aluminum and passivated stainless steel parts in particular tend to bind after finishing operations, but adding LifeLube ™ wire solves this problem. Parts rotate easily, with a very smooth feel! Until now, parts had to be lubricated after finishing to achieve free operation, a sometimes messy and unattractive process that adds cost. Stocker coats the wire with a unique coating and binder that adheres to the wire even after harsh finishing, eliminating costly post process treatment of the pins as well as assembly work. LifeLube ™ pins are also RoHS compliant.