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| C.R. Laurence | |
|---|---|
| Name | C.R. Laurence |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Richard "Dick" Laurence |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles |
| Industry | Building materials; Construction |
| Products | Architectural hardware; glazing systems; metal framing |
| Revenue | (private) |
| Employees | (private) |
C.R. Laurence
C.R. Laurence is an American company specializing in architectural glazing hardware, metal framing, and glazing accessories for commercial and residential construction. Founded in 1965, the firm grew from a regional glazing supplier into a multinational provider serving curtain wall, storefront, railing, and glazing contractors across North America, Europe, and Asia. The company’s product lines and distribution networks have positioned it among peers in the construction supply sector and alongside manufacturers serving projects led by major contractors and design firms.
The company was established in 1965 during a period of rapid postwar construction in Los Angeles and the broader California market, paralleling growth trends that benefited suppliers to the glazing industry such as Kawneer and YKK AP. Early expansion focused on supplying storefront and curtain wall hardware to contractors working on projects associated with firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Gensler, as well as municipal projects in cities such as San Francisco and San Diego. During the 1980s and 1990s the company expanded product offerings and logistics capabilities, mirroring consolidation trends experienced by companies like Andersen Corporation and Marvin Doors. Strategic moves in the 2000s included broader national distribution and alliances with fabricators that supplied curtain wall systems to firms such as Turner Construction and Bechtel. In the 2010s corporate transactions and private-equity interest in building-systems suppliers reshaped ownership patterns across the sector, aligning the company with larger industrial groups and global suppliers.
C.R. Laurence manufactures and distributes a range of glazing and architectural products used in projects by design and contracting firms including Perkins and Will and Foster + Partners. Product categories include metal glazing channels and anchors used in curtain wall systems similar to those by Schüco and Reynaers Aluminium; patch fittings and door hardware comparable to offerings from Häfele and ASSA ABLOY; structural glazing adhesives and sealants used on façades like those specified in projects by Buro Happold; railing systems and glass balustrades found in installations by contractors such as AECOM; and shop and field fabrication tools used by subcontractors working with Clark Construction and Skanska. Ancillary services include technical support, shop drawing assistance, and field training frequently leveraged by glazing subcontractors on projects for clients like Walmart, Apple, and Google.
The company serves markets across North America, with reach into international markets through distribution partners and subsidiaries operating in regions where firms such as Arconic and Kingspan Group also compete. Primary customers include glazing contractors, architectural metal fabricators, institutional building owners, and commercial developers like Hines and Tishman Speyer. Distribution channels encompass a network of branch locations, e-commerce ordering, and direct account management similar to the models used by Fastenal and Grainger. The company’s products are specified on projects by architectural practices including ZGF Architects and HDR, Inc., and are commonly integrated into building envelopes designed to comply with codes established by authorities such as the International Code Council and standards from ASTM International.
Manufacturing and fabrication capabilities include extrusion, stamping, machining, and finishing operations often located in industrial regions of California and other manufacturing hubs. Facilities support curtain wall component fabrication used on projects by major contractors like Turner Construction and for façade engineering partners such as Walter P. Moore. Distribution centers and branch locations provide inventory and logistical support comparable to networks maintained by companies like W.W. Grainger and Fastenal. The company’s investments in fabrication equipment and finishing lines reflect industry demands for bespoke metalwork and high-tolerance glazing components demanded by design firms such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
Over its corporate history the company has experienced private ownership and strategic partnerships, reflecting consolidation trends in building products similar to transactions involving CRH plc and Saint-Gobain. Ownership structures in the sector commonly involve private equity firms, industrial conglomerates, or family ownership transitioning to corporate groups; these patterns have influenced governance models, executive leadership, and integration with distribution networks. Senior management teams typically coordinate product development, compliance, and sales activities while liaising with major clients such as BIM-driven design teams at firms like Perkins and Will.
Products and systems have been used on a variety of high-profile commercial, retail, and institutional projects executed by contractors and architects including Skanska, Turner Construction, Gensler, and Foster + Partners. Installations range from curtain wall façades on office towers to interior glass partitions in corporate campuses for companies such as Apple and Google, and transit-oriented developments coordinated with agencies like Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Glass railing and balustrade systems have been specified on projects by developers including Related Companies and Brookfield Properties.
The company’s products are designed to meet performance standards and certification regimes referenced by consultants and testing bodies such as ASTM International, American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and regional building code authorities including the International Code Council. Fire, wind, and seismic performance criteria for façade components are evaluated in accordance with testing protocols that involve laboratories and certifiers like Underwriters Laboratories and independent engineering firms such as Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. Compliance and training programs align with contractor safety standards implemented by organizations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration and industry associations that inform glazing best practices.
Category:Building materials companies of the United States