Open Search

Celebrating 175 Years: Reflecting on Our Past and Innovating for the Future

Founded in 1850 by John Dixon Matthews, a talented craftsman from Sheffield, England, our story began with a small engraving shop in Pittsburgh that quickly became synonymous with precision and quality. From branding irons for cargo and cattle to intricate engravings adorning public buildings, Matthews was integral not only to the fabric of a burgeoning industrial city but to the development of a pioneering nation.

However, our ambitions were never confined by tradition. In the early 1900s, Matthews expanded into bronze memorials, crafting timeless sculptures and memorials that honored history and elevated artistry.

This seemingly sparked a spirit of innovation that propelled us through the decades as Matthews embraced new offerings like marking and coding solutions, brand packaging and design, warehouse automation systems, waste incineration, and energy solutions. More than anything, this continuous exploration is the epitome of our key corporate value – Live the Matthews Spirit.

As we celebrate our 175th anniversary throughout 2025, Matthews International looks not just to our past achievements but forward to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. From artificial intelligence to sustainable energy solutions, we are committed to leading the charge in innovation, guided by the same entrepreneurial spirit that John Dixon Matthews embodied when he crossed the Atlantic to forge a new future.

Whether you're an employee, partner, customer, aspiring professional, or investor, Matthews International thanks you for being a part of our rich history and bold future.

Here's to 175 years of pioneering spirit—and to the limitless future that awaits.

  • 1850

    John Dixon Matthews emigrated from his native Sheffield, England and opens a small shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1850. His first products included military stamping dies, branding irons, ornate engravings, and stamps for wooden crates. Word of his superior craftsmanship and service spread, his company flourished.

  • 1865

    Matthews discovers a new way to further its business, offering burning and branding iron products directly to consumers.

  • 1900

    Matthews converts from partnership to corporation and offers its employees life insurance.

  • 1912

    Matthews continues to evolve and produces the first vulcanized rubber stamps and plates for printing on corrugated containers.

  • 1927

    Matthews produces the first-ever flush bronze memorial, launching the Matthews Bronze Division.

  • 1936

    Matthews offers profit sharing for employees—a truly progressive concept for its time.

  • 1950

    Matthews celebrates 100 years in business; establishing itself as a historic and stable company but possessing young leaders with progressive ideas.

  • 1960

    Matthews enters its first international market, which leads to the exploration of new possibilities.

  • 1992

    Matthews' corporate headquarters moves to its current NorthShore Center location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • 1994

    Aiming to be an innovative, global leader, Matthews, now referred to as Matthews International Corporation, goes public and begins a period of tremendous growth.

  • 1996

    Matthews identifies a new opportunity and enters the cremation industry.

  • 2001

    Matthews creates its Casket Division by acquiring York, a leading manufacturer of caskets, opening the door for new possibilities.

  • 2005

    Matthews begins its expansion of Marking and Fulfillment offerings within the Industrial Automation Division.

  • 2008

    Matthews acquires majority interest in Saueressig in Germany, its third largest acquisition. With this transaction, the Company begins its entry into what will later become the Surfaces Division.

  • 2009

    Matthews enters the Granite market with its acquisition of United Memorial Products (“UMP”) in California.

  • 2010

    Matthews expands its presence in the Memorialization industry growing its funeral home business significantly by expanding the casket distribution operations with various strategic acquisitions throughout the United States.

  • 2011

    Matthews acquires Lightning Pick and Pyramid, adding warehouse execution system software and controls, pick-to-light and other solutions enhancing ecommerce and omnichannel order fulfillment for global brands.

  • 2014

    The largest acquisition in its rich history, Matthews' purchases SGK, Inc., integrating with existing brand solutions businesses and deepening and broadening the Company’s capabilities. This segment now accounts for over 50% of the Company’s revenue.

  • 2015

    The second-largest acquisition in its evolving history, Matthews purchases Aurora Casket Company combining it with Matthews Funeral Home Products to form Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions… bringing together the best products, marketing programs and services in the industry.

  • 2017

    Matthews acquires Compass Engineering and RAF Technologies, greatly enhancing its Industrial Technologies capabilities.

    To support the growth of the private label market, Equator was added to the SGK Brand Solutions portfolio.

  • 2018

    With the acquisition of Star Granite, Matthews becomes the largest granite memorialization provider in North America.

  • 2020

    SGK reorganizes its business and rebrands, simplifying its brand portfolio to amplify its voice in the marketplace.

  • 2022

    The acquisitions of Terrella Energy Systems and Olbrich Group significantly expand our growing energy solutions business. 

  • 2023

    Matthews solidifies their position as a leader in the growing electric vehicle (EV) energy solutions industry with the announcement of $200M in orders from multiple manufacturers of EV, battery, and hydrogen fuel cell components.

Committed to Our Original Values

Whether we are creating a bronze plaque to help identify a local hero or creating a unique retail display to help identify a national brand, we still adhere to the same principle of producing the highest quality products and of providing the same unparalleled service that John Matthews started with in 1850. Now in the 21st century, we are poised for continued growth while we continue the vision of a young Englishman who came to America with skill, a few simple tools and a dream.