Company History and Corporate Information
Company History
American Marking Systems traces its origin back to the Krengel Manufacturing Company in New York City. Founded in 1898, Krengel was a small, successful stamp shop, who provided high quality rubber stamps and great service.
At age 14, John Collins Sr. joined Krengel as delivery boy. He continued to work at Krengel until the outbreak of World War II. After the War, he returned as the plant foreman and in time, a part owner.
Krengel began acquiring new customers and existing stamp companies. With each acquisition, customer lists, machinery, equipment and valuable employees all became part of a fast growing Krengel Manufacturing Company.
In 1960, Krengel made its first acquisition outside of New York City, when it purchased Paterson Stamp Works; a small stamp shop in Clifton, New Jersey which was founded in 1869. What made this acquisition so important was that instead of closing the small shop and absorbing it into Krengel, John Collins Sr. wanted to keep its manufacturing facility operational in order to provide better service to the New Jersey market. He felt a local company that provided excellent service would have a better chance to succeed, so he moved to New Jersey and took over the operations at Paterson Stamp.
Through aggressive direct marketing, Paterson Stamp grew rapidly and would surpass Krengel in size. By this time, John Collins Sr. assumed management of both Krengel and Paterson Stamp and continued to expand. Over the next 20 years, 16 new acquisitions were made throughout the northeast United States. With so many acquisitions and separate manufacturing facilities, John Collins Sr. decided to collectively begin operating the companies as American Marking Systems, Inc. in 1980.
Today, AMS is one of the nation's largest suppliers of retail stamps, signs and marking devices. Much has changed through the years, but the commitment to service and quality has never wavered. AMS is a family owned company that treats its customers like family.
CLICK HERE to see a list of AMS locations.
AMS Headquarters:
American Marking Systems, Inc.
1015 Paulison Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
Phone: 973-478-5600
Fax: 973-478-0039
Email: customerservice@ams-stamps.com
Corporate Officers:
John Collins, Jr., President
John Newberger, Controller
Ronald Cochran, Sales and Marketing Manager
Directions to headquarters:
From the South - Take the Garden State Parkway North to exit 154. Merge onto Route 46 East and get off at your first exit (Hazel St./Paulison Ave.). At the stop sign turn left and we're approximately 8 buildings up on the right.
From the North - Take the Garden State Parkway South to exit 157 (Rt. 46 West). Merge onto Route 46 West. Follow signs for Route 46 West carefully and travel through 3 lights. Take your first exit (Hazel St./Paulison Ave.) after the 3rd light and bare right to loop back under Route 46. We're approximately 8 buildings up on the right.
From the West - Follow Route 46 East to the Hazel Street/Paulison Avenue exit. It's the first exit after you cross over the Garden State Parkway in Clifton. At the stop sign turn left and we're approximately 8 buildings up on the right.
From the East - Follow Route 46 West to the Hazel Street/Paulison Avenue exit. If you cross over the Garden State Parkway in Clifton, you've traveled too far. Bare right and loop back under Route 46. We're approximately 8 buildings up on the right.