Southern Folger Detention Equipment Company
HISTORY
Southern Folger Detention Equipment Company is synonymous with excellence and quality in product design, materials, and craftsmanship, as well as facility construction, service, repair, and retrofit. Forged on the foundation of the two-pioneer preeminent detention equipment manufacturers, Southern Steel founded in 1897, and Folger Adam established in 1905, Southern Folger equipment and workmanship can be found in thousands of facilities around the world.Our equipment is specified by design professionals that demand only the best products and solutions for the unique correctional environment.
Southern Steel was founded in 1897 with a consistent philosophy of uncompromising quality and outstanding service. With new innovations in product design and application, Southern Steel has patented technology that is used in justice facilities all over the world. From remarkable beginnings as a metal fabricator and sliding door manufacturer over 100 years ago, Southern Steel products have a reputation and experience level "Forged in Steel."
The concept of quality has always been a central theme for Folger Adam products since William J. Adam founded Adam Steel and Wire Works in Joliet, Illinois. Folger Adam entered the business in 1905, and established a company focusing on the production of high-security equipment. Today, Folger Adam products have the technology to secure any size facility. Architects and professional hardware consultants internationally specify Folger Adam locks, hardware and sliding door locking devices for detention applications.
Our Company - Southern Folger is committed to set the standard for quality solutions through the products and services we provide to the security industry.
Our Philosophy – To be a diversified, global market leader while conducting business with integrity.
Our People – At Southern Folger, our people are the backbone of the company. We are committed to continuous improvement, safety, and development of our employees.
Historic Timeline |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Southern Steel Company founded by David F. Youngblood in San Anotnio, Texas. Metal fabrication of jails, vaults, bridges and sliding door locking systems | |||
| 1905 | Folger Adam enters the business following his father’s retirement and creates the Folger Adam Company, located in Joliet, Illinois, and focusing on the production of security equipment, including jail cells. | |||
| 1929 | Southern Steel introduces the 2700 mechanical continual motion locking system and is awarded a $1 million construction project at Rikers Island Penitentiary, New York – the largest steel-constructed jail in the country. | |||
| 1945 | World War II – Southern Steel actively supports the troops by manufacturing tanks for dispensing hot water to Army training camps, and submarine mine cases. Folger Adam produces shell casings for Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. | |||
| 1955 | Southern Steel launches the 7100 series, which leads to design of key locks that open and close by remote control. | |||
| 1974 | Southern Steel develops a lock and hardware division. | |||
| 1989 | Southern Steel company becomes a Division of Phelps-Tointon, Inc. Greeley, Colorado; Folger Adam introduces the Maxi-Mogul® Key Cylinder. | |||
| 2004 | Southern Steel’s parent company, Phelps-Tointon, Inc., acquires Folger Adam Security, Inc. and the companies merge to form Southern Folger Detention Equipment Company, with production of both lines in San Antonio, Texas. | |||
| 2005 | Southern Folger introduces the Certifies Detention Equipment Contractor Program and launches a Stocking Distributor Network. | |||