Aug 20th 2026
KH Industries History: From Innovation to 65+ Years of US Manufacturing
Table of Contents
KH Industries is a U.S. manufacturer of industrial power products based in Hamburg, New York. Founded in 1960, we produce Retractable Extension Cord Reels, cord reel stations, hazardous location lighting, power pendant outlet boxes, and related electrical equipment.
For more than 65 years, we have supported procurement teams, facility managers, and OEM design engineers with power distribution solutions for demanding industrial environments.
When evaluating equipment for distribution centers, manufacturing lines, or utility fleets, establishing a reliable supply chain is often a primary consideration.
KH Industries runs equipment development, manufacturing, and technical service from its Hamburg, New York, plant.
KH Industries at a Glance
The following facts provide a quick overview of KH Industries, including its founding, location, manufacturing footprint, products, and industries served.
| Organization Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | KH Industries |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Karl Baake, Sr. |
| Headquarters | Hamburg, New York (Western New York) |
| Support & Operations | US-based engineering, sales, and service |
| Core Products | Retractable cord reels, industrial power products, and HazRay C1D1 hazardous-location lighting |
| Primary Industries Served | Aviation and aerospace, military and defense, utilities and first response, manufacturing, construction, logistics, energy and petroleum, and marine operations |
KH Industries Origins: Karl Baake Sr. and the First Shatterproof Work Light
Our origins trace across the Atlantic to Germany, where our founder, Karl Baake, Sr., worked as a tool-and-die maker. Working in demanding environments, Baake sought to protect work lights from breaking or malfunctioning when flying sparks spread across his work area.
He spent years working to design a shatterproof work light suited for hazardous work locations.
After emigrating to the United States, Baake completed his first successful design and founded KH Industries in New York in 1960. The company later moved to Hamburg as it outgrew its original shop.
Many of his original designs remain in demand today and continue to influence the products we develop for industrial applications.
Milestones in Industrial Power Products
For more than 65 years, we have consistently adapted our manufacturing practices to support evolving industrial requirements. The timeline below highlights key moments in our operational history and product expansion.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1960 | KH Industries was founded by Karl Baake, Sr. |
| 2015 | We launched our first cord reel power station at Stony Brook University, initiating a new line of capabilities. |
| 2019 | We introduced a new line of HazRay C1D1 hazardous location lights and launched an updated website with enhanced product data. |
| 2020 | KH Industries formed Alert Reel Manufacturing from the assets of Ohio-based Alert Stamping & Manufacturing. We also produced portable lighting and power solutions for emergency medical shelters to support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2022 | KH Industries’ partner company, Staub Precision Machines, received AS9100 certification, expanding the manufacturing capabilities available to aerospace customers. |
| 2023 | We completed an 18,000-square-foot addition to our main warehouse facility in Hamburg, New York, increasing our manufacturing capacity. |
Standard Cord Reel Series and Where They Are Used
KH Industries manufactures standard cord reel series for a range of industrial applications. These include the RTB, RTI/RTM, and RTF series retractable cord reels.
These systems are commonly used across various commercial and industrial environments to keep workspaces organized and reduce cord damage. Common applications for these cord reel series include:
- Warehouses and Distribution Centers: Providing localized power drops for material handling equipment and packaging stations.
- Manufacturing Lines: Supplying reliable power to assembly workstations without creating floor hazards.
- Maintenance Bays: Organizing portable tools and lighting for fleet mechanics and technicians.
- Commercial Facilities: Supporting daily maintenance routines with accessible, durable power sources.
For washdown environments or facilities exposed to the elements, maintenance departments often utilize outdoor industrial cord reels to help maintain equipment integrity. NEMA 4X cord reel power stations give assembly areas a consolidated drop point.
KH Industries Certifications
KH Industries supports procurement and AHJ requirements with product-level documentation and a public Documents & Manuals library. Applicable testing and listings are available for specific products and configurations.
Depending on the configuration, KH Industries offers cord reels with NEMA 2, NEMA 4, and NEMA 4X enclosure ratings. Many models are available with UL or CSA certification; ratings vary by configuration, so engineers should reference the documentation for the specific model.
KH Industries Today: American Manufacturing, Built to Spec
We operate from our Hamburg, New York, manufacturing facility, with U.S.-based engineering, sales, and service supporting its product lines with direct access to technical guidance throughout the procurement process.
When an off-the-shelf product does not fit a specialized installation or environment, our engineering team can recommend or design a custom cord reel.
We can adjust cord length, gauge, connector type, mounting, and enclosure rating to match the application. This allows us to build cord reels to specification for demanding utility, aviation, naval, and defense operations.
As our product range expanded, so did the applications we serve. Today, KH Industries provides retractable cord reels and industrial power products for manufacturing, maintenance, utility, and other demanding environments. When standard configurations do not meet a specific application, our engineering team can develop a solution around the required cord length, gauge, connector type, mounting, and enclosure rating. Learn more about How KH Industries Custom Engineering Works: From Your Specs to Final Delivery and 5 Custom Cord Reel Configurations KH Has Built for Hard-to-Solve Environments.
Our experience also includes applications in military and defense, where our products are used to meet demanding power and environmental requirements. More about this work is covered in KH Industries: Made in USA, Industrial Power and Lighting for Military and Defense Operations. Engineers evaluating a specific cord reel application can also refer to How to Spec and Size an Industrial Cord Reel: Guide for Engineers for guidance on matching the reel to the application.
