In 1923 three Penley brothers – Fred, Lester and Walter – established a mill in the hamlet of West Paris and began producing round slotted clothespins from harvested hardwood.

		In the 1930's, the mill began producing flat slotted and wooden spring clothespins in addition to traditional round clothespins. By then, Penley was established as a producer of fine hardwood products in markets throughout North America, and the Penley reputation for quality, value and dependability had spread far and wide. The company grew and prospered with little change over the next five decades.

But, in the 1950's growing numbers of Americans began using automatic dryers. Donald, Albert and Joe Penley (Lester's and Walter's sons) took over management and began modernizing the company to meet the challenges of this new era. At the same time they expanded outside of the United States.

		During the 1970s, Donald's son Richard joined the company to help his father run the business. When his father retired in 1988, Richard took over as president and initiated an ambitious program to modernize the company, expand the plant and venture into new markets.

The modernization plan continued throughout the 1990s, a new $3 million saw mill was built, a new forest management division, a hardwood lumber and consumer products division was formed. High quality craft and specialty items were added to the product line which included imported toothpicks, wooden matches and plastic cutlery.

		Unfortunately, In 2003 the economic shifts of a globalized economy forced the Penley Corporation to shut down its mill operations, and downsize its operations. But, as it has in the past the Penley Corporation rose to the challenge and through a reorganization of its business adapted to compete in this new marketplace.

Today, Penley Corporation is a major provider of consumer products to the food, drug and mass merchant retailers throughout the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.

Building on the traditions of the past and the strengths of the present, Penley Corporation is confidently moving into the 21st century as a global company with:

Quality Products, Unparalleled Service and the Best Price