Radiator Specialty Company Backgrounder - Liquid Wrench

Radiator Specialty Company
Backgrounder
In 1924, I.D. Blumenthal, a salesman from Savannah, Georgia, was traveling to
Charlotte, North Carolina on business when he discovered a leak in his car’s radiator.
Blumenthal brought his car to a local tinsmith for repair which, at that time, typically
involved the complete removal of the radiator – a task that was both time-consuming
and expensive. Instead, this innovative tinsmith poured “magic powder” into the
radiator and the leak was fully repaired. Being a savvy businessman and
entrepreneur, Blumenthal proposed a partnership with the tinsmith and Radiator
Specialty Company was born, with Solder Seal® as the company’s first product.
From its start in 1924 as a one-product company focused on the emerging automotive
aftermarket, Radiator Specialty Company has grown into a modern, diversified
manufacturer of a full line of specialty automotive products. Today, Radiator
Specialty Company manufactures over 300 automotive products under many wellknown
and well-respected names, including Solder Seal, Gunk®, Liquid Wrench®,
Engine Brite® and Puncture Seal®. Company-wide, Radiator Specialty Company
produces over 6,000 products for automotive, heavy duty, plumbing, hardware and
export markets. Throughout the company’s 85 years, its manufacturing facilities and
product lines have continued to expand and prosper through sales, acquisitions and
product innovations.
In 1938, Blumenthal’s brother, Herman, joined the company, officially making it a
family-run business, which it remains today. After I.D.’s death in 1978, Herman was
appointed chairman of the board. Following his father’s footsteps, Herman’s son,
Alan, assumed the role after Herman passed away in 2001 at the age of 86.
1930s – 1940s
Despite The Depression and WWII, the 1930s and 1940s were time of explosive
growth for Radiator Specialty Company:
• 1931: The Radiator Specialty Company of Canada was chartered
• 1933: Golden State Rubber Mills in Los Angeles, California was purchased
• 1937: Charlotte rubber products plant was added and Titeseal Sealing
Compounds were born
• 1941: Liquid Wrench products became part of the line
- more -

Page 2 of 3
During World War II, rubber products were produced in the California plants and
used in America's aircraft assembly. In 1949, the rubber production was moved to
Charlotte where Safe-T-Cone® products were developed and produced as well as
more chemical and plumbing/hardware products. In 1958, the Douglas Tools line of
augers, hole saws, hammers, levels, and measuring devices, was added. Gunk
Laboratories was acquired in 1959, resulting in the addition of an entire line of GUNK
degreasers -- including Engine Brite -- and cleaning products. The SolderSeal-Gunk
logo was formed at that time.
Growth and Acquisition
Ever expanding, Radiator Specialty Company had outgrown its offices in the 1960s,
leading to the 1964 construction of a new facility in Charlotte. In 1972, the
automotive chemical production line outgrew the Charlotte facility and a 60,000 plus
square foot aerosol production plant was added in Indian Trail, North Carolina,
where the company resides today.
In 1985, the company secured a patent on plastic drums used especially in road
construction, which opened up opportunities with the United States Department of
Transportation. Both standard and custom reflective signs were produced, including
Interstate highway signs as well as the traditional “No Parking” sign which travelers
pass on a daily basis.
In 1988, the Truck and Heavy Duty Division of Radiator Specialty Company was
officially established, even though most of the company’s products have been used in
these applications since the early 1920s. In 1995, Highway Safety Products in Napa,
California was acquired to make traffic cones on the West Coast. Like all of Radiator
Specialty Company’s products, new products for theses divisions continue being
developed, produced and carefully tested.
In 1999, Omega Products, producers of appliance hoses, located in Bremen, Indiana
became part of Radiator Specialty Company. Omega is the major supplier of hoses to
the home appliance manufacturing industry.
Expanded Industries and Innovations
Radiator Specialty continues to thrive and serve the automotive aftermarket,
plumbing, hardware and appliance industries with quality products that make things
work better. Even when the company’s line of products contained only ten different
cooling system items, including both liquid and powder Radiator Repairs and Block
Seals, there seemed to be room for progress and innovation, which then led the
company to create the do-it-yourself market.
Radiator Specialty Company has steered itself into many directions, becoming
increasing successful during the process. Throughout the years, the company added
plumbing products such as hose sets for automatic washer and automatic dishwasher
hot and cold water feeds, drain hoses and various accessories for theses appliances.
These inventions allowed the company to expand its brand into the lawn and garden
center markets and retailer outdoor departments.
- more -

Page 3 of 3
Combined Family and Industry Expertise
In 2009, Radiator Specialty Company celebrates its 85 anniversary, with the
Blumenthal family, senior management and employees continuing the legacy of its
founder, I.D. Blumenthal. John Huber serves as President and CEO, with Michael
Guggenheimer as VP of Sales & Marketing, Dr. Larry Beaver as VP of Technology,
Tom Hynes as Category Manager and Abby Byland as Marketing Communications
Manager.
The core mission both past and present continues to be providing dependable
products that make things work better. This credo allows Radiator Specialty
Company to expand into various markets and test the waters which, to date, has
constantly been creative and promising, and winning customer loyalty along the way.
What started as an innovative manufacturer of radiator repair, Radiator Specialty
Company today manufacturers over 5,000 products for the automotive, truck,
plumbing, hardware, grocery, home center, industrial and traffic safety industries.
# # #