The Frantz Manufacturing Company

It is cited by the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society as one of four major manufacturing facilities that showed strong growth in the mid to late 20th Century.

Other firms cited are Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., Lawrence Brothers, Inc. and National Manufacturing Co.[2][3] Peter Frantz was the Company's inventor.

In 1930, development began on an "OVER-THE-TOP" garage door hardware set which gained popularity.

In 1959, Frantz introduced the first successful lightweight fiberglass garage door to the marketplace under the brand name "Filuma".

Toys were produced until 1934 when declining sales due to the depression years of the 1920s and 30s caused Frantz to discontinue those operations.

The skates were marketed under the name "Hustler Speed King Roller Skates" and the line was carried by jobbers, catalog premium houses, hardware and variety stores, and large chain stores throughout the country including Sears, Macy's, Montgomery Ward, Gimbels, and Marshall Field's.

Frantz shares went public on November 17, 1959 and traded Over the Counter until October 7, 1970 when it was listed on the American Stock Exchange.

[4] Today Frantz continues to manufacture and market anti-friction products such as bearings, conveyor wheels, and balls throughout North America and internationally[5] from its plants in Sterling, Illinois.