The Hammond Group: Company History

Hammond Lead Products has represented industry leadership in specialty lead products manufacturing since its founding in 1930. As a family owned business since its inception, Hammond Lead got its start in 1915 as the Metal Refining Company, one of the largest secondary lead smelters in the United States at that time. Lead acid batteries represented the principle market for the company in its earliest days through their manufacture of red lead and litharge. During the 1930’s, Hammond’ began manufacturing battery expanders to improve battery life and cold-crank capabilities adding to their commitment to the lead-acid battery market.

Hammond’ expertise in the manufacture of quality inorganic chemistries continued to advance from 1930 to the present. During the mid-1940’s Hammond expanded their market focus to include lead-based, oxides and silicates for crystal, lighting and television glass. Specialty products such as ultra high-purity 99.99% pure lead (UHP) were also created to satisfy specialty markets including fiber optics and optical glass. Hammond also manufactured lead-based fluxes for soldering and inorganic lead-containing corrosion inhibitors to the paints and coatings markets. In 2005, Hammond began manufacturing a line of lead-free color glass enamels for the Spandrel, appliance and furniture markets.

Recognizing the growing importance of lead-free chemistries in paints and coatings, Hammond created HALOX in 1972, a division dedicated to the manufacture of alternative, lead-free corrosion inhibitors and additives for this market. This business continued to grow in the ensuing years and in 2003 Hammond acquired additional organic inhibitor technology from Ciba Geigy, further extending their technology position in the paints and coatings market.

In 1996 The Hammond Group purchased a major competitor expander competitor creating the need for a larger manufacturing facility which as constructed in Hammond during this time. Further growth in the company’s expander business required the addition of the manufacturing operation in the UK. This was completed in 1999.