Superior craftsmanship. superior quality. Driven for excellence. When he started the business in 1926, the age of 21, Howard C. Miller insisted on it.
Howard Miller was already aware of the necessity to produce goods that would be immersed in value and quality at the time. Nothing less than the finest was expected of him. And he only agreed to have his name appear on each clock made in our sizable plant in Zeeland, Michigan, under those severe terms. In the German Black Forest, Howard Miller’s father, Herman, taught him the finer points of clockmaking. As he matured, Howard became a visionary, and his great sense of creativity sparked a history of excellence that has endured through three generations without being compromised.
While initially specializing in the production of chiming mantel and wall clocks, Howard Miller also created avant-garde clocks that are still shown in collectors’ galleries today. Howard Miller and the Ford Motor Company collaborated to create anti-aircraft coverings during World War II. The firm began focusing on grandfather clocks in the 1960s, and as a result, became known as the “World’s Largest Grandfather Clock Manufacturer.”
Howard Miller started constructing collectors’ cabinets in 1989 with the same meticulous attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship as their clockmaking. The cabinets, which are made of glass and hardwoods, are perfect for showcasing valuables like dishes, glasses, and other artifacts.
History
Howard Miller, who was born in 1905, continued his father’s legacy by learning the intricate art of clockmaking. Howard, who was born in the renowned clockmaking region of Germany’s Black Forest, brought his clockmaking expertise to the country and, at the young age of just 21, established his own clock business in Zeeland, Michigan. Howard Miller put a focus on quality and creativity in his clocks from the outset.
Chiming mantel and wall clocks were the company’s first offerings. The initial clocks were created in conventional American designs, but from 1933 they introduced unique clocks that were recognized for their innovative designs. Due to the inventiveness of their designs, several of these early clocks are treasured by clock enthusiasts and are on exhibit at clock museums.
The H M clock firm, like other American clock makers, gave up the clock business during World War II to help create supplies for the war effort. Due to its Michigan location, Miller teamed together with Ford Motor Company to provide anti-aircraft coverings. When the government permitted the firms to resume constructing clocks after World War II, The Howard Miller Company was one of only a select few American clock companies to prosper.
The business added floor clocks, which most of us refer to as grandfather clocks, in the 1960s as part of an expansion of its product range. They constructed a new factory in 1964, and since then, the business has grown to become not just the biggest manufacturer of grandfather clocks in the world but also the largest clock firm in the United States. The Howard Miller Company is still producing high-quality clocks even though Howard Miller passed away in 1995 at the age of 90.
The company’s initial focus was on quality and the idea that a clock is more than just a functional item. In the words of Miller, “We’re producing a product that will be passed down from one generation to the next. Our attention is not simply on building a product that is dependable and of high quality.” To that aim, the business offers a paper heirloom record that lists the clock’s original owners and includes space for their photographs. To honor the memories of the first owners, certain H M clocks come with complimentary engraving on a metal heirloom plate. These added details are a part of Howard Miller’s belief that a fine grandfather clock is a valuable family treasure.
The Howard Miller Company started adding hardwood and upholstered furniture to their product offerings in 1989. By acquiring the German Kieninger Company, they also added the production of clock movements.
The wide variety of H M grandfather clocks contributes to the company’s status as the leading maker of grandfather clocks in the world; there is a floor clock to fit every preference and design aesthetic. Numerous cabinet types, premium hardwoods, and bespoke, limited-edition clocks are offered for individuals seeking the greatest in elegant classic grandfather clocks. The design and diversity of the floor clocks in the Furniture Trend Designs collection are beyond words. Several designs of combo heirloom pieces also include a grandfather-size curio cabinet in addition to the clock.
The firm sells a complete variety of wall, mantel, and table clocks in addition to grandfather clocks. Reproduction antique wall clocks with contemporary movements may be found in the Moment in TimeTM series. A complete variety of marine and weather clocks is also available. While marine clocks range from nautical case style, like a ship’s wheel, to functional tide clocks, weather clocks also incorporate barometers. Clocks made by Howard Miller are offered via licensed retailers. Memorial Clocks, a different brand of clocks, are only offered via funeral homes.
Fine clocks are prized, especially the grandfather clocks that Howard Miller envisioned as being passed down through families. This quote from Howard Miller, “It’s more than just producing something,” will be appreciated by everyone who appreciates clocks for their aesthetic appeal in both the mechanics of the movement and the outside look. You are creating a living entity. There are chimes. When you enter a home and hear those chimes every fifteen minutes, you know it’s different from other homes.
The Howard Miller Clock Company’s commitment to offering goods made from the best materials and meticulously crafted workmanship is essential to its success. The Howard Miller Clock Company’s current iteration is just as committed to offering the buying public top-tier timekeeping solutions that combine the best in solid, dependable performance with stunning good looks, driven by the never-ending pursuit of perfection that is the legacy of the company’s founder. There aren’t many things on the market that function as well as they appear, but the Howard Miller Company can provide both attributes with equal proficiency.
Fewer yet are the goods that can last the test of time, and it appears that everything you purchase today will end up in a landfill in just a few short months. Not so with the Howard Miller wall clock, or any other clock in the Howard Miller range, which has more than shown its value in terms of toughness and dependability.
There is no doubt that when you purchase any item bearing the name of the master clockmaker Howard Miller, you are bringing home a precise timepiece that will offer you steady and dependable service for many years to come. You don’t have to sacrifice innovation and cutting-edge technology for conventional design because many of the company’s models have a multitude of features like the Howard Miller Westminster chime. The best of both worlds is what you get with a Howard Miller clock. timeless beautiful looks and cutting-edge chronometry!