Founded in 1895 by industrialist Herbert H. Franklin in Syracuse, New York. The company was the first in the world specialised in machine die casting, especially for the automobile business. The products were used to build the Franklin Motor Car from 1902 and in 1906 a separate company, the Franlin Autombobile Company, was formed.
Capital by 1920 150,000 Preferred shares of $100 and 600,000 Common shares of no par value.