.
Henry Ziemann, a master carpenter,
founded the Empire Level Manufacturing Corporation in
1919. As the inventor of the modern level, he started
a revolution in the industry that became the cornerstone
of Empire. . In
its first three years, Empire created the adjustable level
with interchangeable and replaceable vials. They followed
this first success with a series of innovations: the torpedo
level, the Mono vial, the magnetic level and the first
extruded aluminum rafter square. The company also introduced
top read levels, Monster vials, interlocking T-Squares
and invented the snap-in vial. They currently hold more
than thirty active patents. .
Over the years, Empire has been strengthened by a number
of acquisitions including: .
• 1975 Merley Squares (squares) .
• 1987 Peerless Level Company (wood levels) .
• 1995 Thor Manufacturing Company (caution tape) .
• 2000 Hempe Manufacturing (precision tools/miter boxes) .
• 2000 Custom Plastics (advanced engineering) . Though
the company has a history of accomplishments, they're
more focused than ever on the future. In 2003, Jenni Becker
was named President at Empire. She grew up in the family
business and took over the reins as the 5th generation
President. Becker had a successful career in education
and had earned both a Masters in Education and an MBA.
Becker has an aggressive spirit and a can-do attitude
that are both highly contagious. .
Becker believes three things set Empire apart from other
level manufacturing companies: 1) scientific and market
research; 2) engineering innovation; and 3) an insatiable
commitment to listening to the professional. One of her
first moves was to pioneer the super-accurate True Blue®
vial which is at the heart of Empire's premium level's
and squares. . Today
Empire Level is the leading designer and producer of levels,
squares, layout tools and caution tape in the United States
with dominant market share in the retail, contractor supply,
and “Do-It-Yourself” markets. .
In
its first three years, Empire created the adjustable level
with interchangeable and replaceable vials. They followed
this first success with a series of innovations: the torpedo
level, the Mono vial, the magnetic level and the first
extruded aluminum rafter square. The company also introduced
top read levels, Monster vials, interlocking T-Squares
and invented the snap-in vial. They currently hold more
than thirty active patents.
Though
the company has a history of accomplishments, they're
more focused than ever on the future. In 2003, Jenni Becker
was named President at Empire. She grew up in the family
business and took over the reins as the 5th generation
President. Becker had a successful career in education
and had earned both a Masters in Education and an MBA.
Becker has an aggressive spirit and a can-do attitude
that are both highly contagious. 
Today
Empire Level is the leading designer and producer of levels,
squares, layout tools and caution tape in the United States
with dominant market share in the retail, contractor supply,
and “Do-It-Yourself” markets.