Metal Corner Reinforcement

For many years a department of a company I ran made shipping containers for heavy machinery.  We used metal reinforcement corners from Klug Korners, a small company out of Michigan.  They produce a product that goes well beyond anything I have found in a hardware store.  I am not connected with this company in any way.

klug corners

Very clever, who would have thought you could make and sell enough of them?

I've long since ceased being amazed at the things you can sell enough of to justify a factory.  I used to have a cabin in an area where there was a little mine.  I think it was a granite mine.  A miner was at the bar one night and he said that it's the perfect granite? for the grit on roofing shingles.  So they supply nearly all of the grit for shingles in the US.  From a 20 acre mine site.  They were worried they'd run out until they found a bit more on another 40 acre property so now they're good for several more decades.

(Any inaccuracies in this story are unintentionally due to the sobriety of the miner and myself)

Hi John and Mike,

When I first met them they were in a garage in Watervillete, Michigan.  It is the classic case of producing a superior product.  Besides, I usually favor the little guy.

Neat stuff, but the website isn't consumer friendly.
No prices,  not even in huge lots.
This makes me think they are better than I can afford, even for a small business, much less for homestead projects.

William Bronson wrote:Neat stuff, but the website isn't consumer friendly.
No prices,  not even in huge lots.
This makes me think they are better than I can afford, even for a small business, much less for homestead projects.

I wouldn't guarantee that - it may just mean that they'd rather make corners than update web pages, so they figure people who are interested will ask.
Also some companies are reticent to sell to individuals, so in these sorts of situations we always use our farm name as then we're a "business" even if we are a pretty minuscule business!
Depending on the job, I admit I'm pretty tired of crap that doesn't last. We have some brackets that we got second hand that I used on a project that eventually biodegraded, so the brackets went back in the box and when I needed some for a raised bed this spring, they got used again. Typical brackets from the local lumber place would have done well to survive the first project. Sometimes buying quality ends up cheaper in the long run!

Hi Jay,

Back in the early 90s, when I did business with them,  they had a "sample box".  This was clearly a pop and son operation at the time. I got curious about the Pawpaw address vs the Watervillete address I remember.  But looking at google maps the two communities are close. It could be the address changed but not the location. I know I  had a similar experience with the post office.

Yes, there is no doubt their loyalty will be with existing customers. But it is a small business, and I am sure they have slow times. And, I will tell you that they are known around the country.  We became familiar with them when a new customer insisted we use Klug Korners.  

Hi William,

There is no doubt they are not web savvy.  This was, back in the 90s,  a father and son operation.  I always spoke on the phone with them ...a couple of times in person. When you are buying corners by the thousands, shipping can get pricey. These things get heavy.  If I was heading up into MI anyway. I would swing by and pick up a shipment. I think it is a safe bet to give them a call.  To buy smaller amounts,  ask to buy 4 or 8 or what ever so you can sample them.