The Hinge People® — 100 Years of Larsen & Shaw

A centennial book that captures and conveys the story of 100 years of family entrepreneurship built on the values of integrity, teamwork and community

Larsen & Shaw’s Return on History

From the moment we met for the first time, it was instantly apparent that working with Historical Branding Solutions would elevate the quality and overall historical value of the chronicle we were envisioning for our centennial to a much higher level. Our book was delivered on the day that was promised and I am thrilled with the results. Dr. Frisse has been a real pleasure to work with. His experience, and that of his team, allows him to draw on many great ideas from an impressive portfolio of projects to create something unique and personal. I do not hesitate to recommend Historical Branding Solutions to anyone who has a story they want memorialized.

John Larsen
Chairman, Larsen & Shaw Ltd.

The Larsen and Shaw Story

The Hinge People® — A Company Built on Integrity, Teamwork & Community tells the story of Walkerton, Ontario-based hinge manufacturer Larsen & Shaw Ltd. over the course of 100 years and across multiple generations of Larsen family entrepreneurs. Founded in 1919 by Carl C. Larsen and partner F.L. Clarke as Larsen & Clarke and renamed Larsen & Shaw in 1920 when Farqhuar Shaw acquired the shares of F.L. Clarke, the company quickly evolved into an important contributor to the industrial landscape of Walkerton and the surrounding area.

The Mandate

When John Larsen, Chairman of Larsen & Shaw, commissioned us to create a commemorative centennial book to be launched at the company’s centennial celebrations, his vision was to incorporate into the publication the first-hand account his late father, Carl J. Larsen, had written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the family-owned and -operated company some 25 years earlier. The centennial book was to consist of two parts—Carl Larsen’s historical account of 1994 and a second part taking the narrative up to the centennial milestone. Integrity, Teamwork & Community—the principles the company has been built on—were to create a bridge between the two voices in which the story would be told.

Our Solution

Embedded in the larger context of manufacturing in a small-town community, the book stands out through its vibrant design and an exceptional collection of historical photographs dating back to the early days of the company at the end of the First World War. In documenting this fascinating story, Dr. Frisse and the HBS content and design teams were able to draw on an exceptionally rich company archive. A wide array of images from photo shoots undertaken in the Larsen & Shaw plant in the 1920s and 1950s contribute to making this visually rich book an important addition to the historical record of manufacturing in small-town Ontario.

  • Third generation family-owned and operated business that specializes in the manufacturing of hinges for a wide range of applications
  • 100-page centennial book used for legacy preservation and celebration purposes
  • Book launched at the client’s main centennial event
  • 10 x 10 softcover publication with debossed and foil stamped cover
  • Visually rich publication using images from photo shoots undertaken in the client’s manufacturing plant in the 1920s and 1950s
  • Fully branded premium design with use of brand Pantone colours throughout, creating visual continuity between the two volumes combined in this integrated book

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