George W. Lyons establishes a modest iron workshop in New Haven, Connecticut, crafting custom wrought-iron products and laying the groundwork for the mass production of metal doors.

Lyons develops the first metal basement door, obtains a patent and produces several hundred doors a year, establishing BILCO’s first signature product.

Formerly known as The Builders Iron Company, the company name is changed to The BILCO Company.

WWII steel restrictions lift and the company takes a major step forward with its first mass-produced residential basement door.

Lyons’ sons join the family business, and the product line expands to roof hatches and floor access doors for the commercial construction market.

BILCO outgrows its New Haven location and moves to a much larger manufacturing facility in West Haven, Connecticut.

In response to the famous General Motors fire in Livonia, Michigan, BILCO develops and begins to sell a line of automatic smoke vents for fire protection and life safety.

The company begins to offer motorized commercial access products for remote operation.

BILCO opens a second manufacturing facility in Trumann, AR to keep up with the growing demand for its commercial construction products.

George Lyons’ grandchildren join the business and eventually run the family business until it was sold in 2016.

Acoustically Sound Rated Automatic Smoke Vents introduced to the market to guard against outside noise intrusion.

BILCO expands internationally, opening offices in Canada and the UK.

BILCO introduces the industry’s first Fire-rated Floor Door.

BILCO gets into the window well business and introduces ScapeWEL®. Promotes “Better Living Basements” for added living space and building code compliance.

A new warehouse facility opens in El Paso, TX to help penetrate the west coast market.

A third manufacturing facility is opened in Juarez, MX to keep up with the demand for commercial construction products.

Bil-Guard® Roof Hatch Safety Railing System introduced to meet OSHA fall protection requirements.

The Ultra Series Basement door is introduced, the market’s first high-density polyethylene product.

Fall Protection Grating introduced for floor access doors to meet OSHA requirements.

Zanesville, OH, manufacturing facility opens to produce basement doors and window wells. StakWEL® Window Wells added to product line.

BILCO introduces a powder coat paint finish for basement doors that eliminates the need for homeowners to paint the door upon installation.

Company goes back to its roots as headquarters is relocated to New Haven, CT.

BILCO introduces first Thermally Broken Roof Hatch for improved energy efficiency. BILCO introduces first Thermally Broken Roof Hatch for improved energy efficiency.

Third generation family members sell the business to Tyman, a UK holding company specializing in the door and window hardware market.

Weather Strip Kit introduced for basement doors to improve energy efficiency.

Introduces Thermally Broken Smoke Vents to complement its thermally broken roof hatch line.

BILCO is acquired by Quanex under the company’s Custom Solutions division.

BILCO celebrates 100th anniversary.