Adaptability and Evolution of Franklin International

By Yvette Cruz. 

The past that sticks with us. Darci Kunard shares the gamut of products available to roofing professionals. 

 Franklin International was established in 1935 as a family-owned business. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the main factory is still located there, as well as Darci Kunard. Darci is the national accounts manager at Franklin International and also does a bit of product management for caulks and sealants as well. She’s been with the company for about five years.  

Part of what makes Franklin International well known in the industry is their ability to adapt. Titebond was developed in the seventies and is a staple product for not only Franklin International, but also contractors. “We started out with Titebond original, which is a yellow, water-based glue. And then we graduated to Titebond 2, which is a little bit higher performance. And then we have Titebond 3, which is your ultimate performance,” Darci shares in a recent Roofing Road Trips podcast. “So, it’s water typed, it's just kind of an all-encompassing glue that works in a wide variety of substrates and settings.”  

Franklin started with making glue and has continued from the thirties to present day developing other types of glue such as polyvinyl acetate glues and flooring adhesives. Although they are best known for their Titebond glues, Franklin International actually is a chemical company as well, composing polymers and other chemicals that sell for industrial uses. “So, when you think about types of furniture, we have polymers that are used in furniture manufacturing, and then self-adhesive stamps, that's our glue as well. So that's kind of in our DNA,” Darci says.  

In today’s fast-paced world, Franklin has new technology to allow for quicker and instant set up times with their glues. Darci goes on to say in construction trades, “[They] need those construction adhesives and they need different types. Whether it's solvent based, a VOC compliant solvent or even water based...We make the gamut of products that you can find out there.” 

Designed with professionals in mind, we hope to see more new and innovated products from Franklin National in the future! 

Learn more about Franklin International in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.titebond.com. 

Listen to the podcast for more information on Titebond glues and how this product can help roofers incorporate additional exterior repairs along with roofing.