Learn More About Carrom
MADE IN THE USA
Looking to learn more about the strong history of Carrom? You’ve come to the right place! Find out more about our values, how our story began, and why we still strive to reconnect families worldwide with our games 130 years later.
• 130 Years of Quality
The Carrom Company has been manufacturing quality games for 130 years, reaching homes across the country. Our Ludington, Michigan manufacturing facility is in the heartland of America, where family means everything and quality time is number one. We make games so you can make memories. Find your favorite Classic Family Game and continue the great tradition.
• 1890’s
How It All Began
In the last quarter of the 19th century Henry Haskell, a Sunday School teacher, viewed with alarm the growing number of boys who loafed around pool rooms. (Ironically, the company would eventually manufacture pool tables.) Haskell had an inventive mind and he concentrated his thought on supplying a game which would appeal to these boys and supply wholesome enjoyment. Soon after, Haskell patented and introduced the U.S. Carrom game board. Produced at Ludington Novelty Works (Ludington, MI) of which he was part owner.
• 1900’s
The Merging of Companies
Ludington Novelty Works and Archarena Company of Peoria, IL., merge and become Carrom-Archarena Co. Production stays in Ludington. (1901) Gameboard display rack introduced. (c. 1903) Beautiful line of billiard and pool tables also manufactured along with many varieties of wood furniture.
• 1900, 1910, 1910’s
A New President of Carrom
J.S. Stearns, a wealthy industrialist, purchases an interest in the company and becomes president. Haskell was secretary. Name changed to Carrom Company. (1914)
• 1920’s
Surviving the Great Depression
The Carrom Company continued to grow and prosper until the late 1920’s when the Great Depression began. The company was kept alive only because of the determination of the Stearns’ interests to maintain as much employment as possible during a difficult time.
• 1920, 1930, 1930’s
“Carrom Boy”
“Carrom Boy” first appears in advertisements (1930). Carrom Baseball game board (style BB) introduced (1937). Lew Fonseca rules added in 1938. Highly collectible boards today. Carrom Company enters the field of institutional furniture manufacturing (c. 1937). This was a new field for Carrom and a lot of money and effort went into making the proper entrance. The strain proved too great for Carrom which was close to bankruptcy by the end of the 1930’s. Name changed to Carrom Industries (1939)
• 1940’s
The Death of Henry Haskell
Henry Haskell dies. (1940) Will Ross, Inc., of Milwaukee purchases Carrom Industries. It’s interest in Carrom lay in the hospital furniture field. (c. 1941) Nok-Hockey introduced. (c. 1942) During WWII, Carrom Industries made large folding tables to display maps for the military while in the field.
• 1940, 1950, 1950’s
Purchase by Shampaine Industries
Shampaine Industries of St. Louis, MO. buys Carrom Industries (1951). Institutional furniture makes up the largest part of the company’s volume.
• 1960’s
Direct Competition and Lawsuits
Three Carrom Industries employees break away and form Merdel Manufacturing (1960) which directly competes with Carrom Industries. Merdel uses one “R” on their Carom game boards. Both companies are in Ludington, MI. Lawsuits eventually follow. Plastic corner first used on game board by Merdel Manufacturing (1961). Invented by Robert Erickson. Affiliated Hospital Products, Inc., purchases Shampaine Industries. (c. 1967) Carrom Games Division moves their game production to Red Lion, PA. for a brief time. (c. 1968)
• 1960, 1970, 1970’s
Relocation
Carrom Games Division moves production to Sardis, MS. (1972). Merdel Manufacturing purchases remaining assets of now defunct Carrom Games Division and can use two “R” sin Carrom. All production is in Ludington. (c.1972)
• 1980’s
The Lightning Group
The Lightning Group (Duncannon, PA.) purchases Merdel Manufacturing. (1981)
• 1990’s
Moving Back to Ludington
Carrom Company purchases the Drueke Company and moves its manufacturing operation from Grand Rapids, MI., to Ludington. Drueke is well known for its quality chess, cribbage, backgammon, and other board games. (1992) Name changes back to the Carrom Company. (1994) Carrom Company purchases remaining assets of bankrupt Recreational Products and moves production of their adult-size air powered hockey, foosball, and pool tables to Ludington. This creates the Carrom Sports division. (1996)
• 2010’s
Unplug your Kids: Connect the Family
In 2014 the Carrom Co. began its inaugural “Unplug your Kids: Connect the Family” initiative and it’s one we hope to carry on for years to come. We asked families across America to turn off their TVs, computers, phones, and mobile devices and spend a few hours playing games around the kitchen table or in their family rooms. We hoped to start a movement that would encourage families to unplug every Sunday and spend time together laughing, playing games, and just having fun. We believe there’s nothing more important than family time and we believe you want that, too, which is why you’ve decided to purchase a Carrom game.
• Carrom Kid
Always Made with Quality
The Carrom Company has been manufacturing quality games for 130 years, reaching homes across the country. Our Ludington, Michigan manufacturing facility is in the heartland of America where family means everything and quality time is number one. We make games so you can make memories. Find your favorite Classic Family Game and continue the great tradition.
All our products have been made in America with the most premium quality since we began manufacturing games 130 years ago. It’s our nature to uphold the highest standards in our products, ensuring that they will be around for generations to come.
Over a Century of Carrom
Take a trip down memory lane and explore retired Carrom Game Boards, some from a century ago. We’re proud of our American-made history focused on quality and family. Over the years, we’ve placed countless games in the hands of happy families for their long-term enjoyment and satisfaction.
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