About Us
A Century of Bonding Excellence. Family-owned for three generations. Committed to innovation for the next hundred years.
Who We Are
LD Davis is a global provider of glue and gelatin solutions, driving superior product performance for mid-to-large-sized manufacturers. With a century of innovation backing us, we deliver high-performance solutions, custom testing, and exceptional customer satisfaction, setting new industry standards. We prioritize our customers’ success by providing reliable, high-quality adhesive solutions, with fast turnaround times, and expert support.
Our Mission
“We’re here to help our customers succeed by delivering reliable, high-quality glue and gelatin solutions tailored to their needs. With a focus on innovation and lasting partnerships, we create Bonds for Life™—products and relationships that stand the test of time.”
Our Generational Legacy
(1926 - 1959) - Louis D. Davis Sr.: The Founder
In 1926, Louis D. Davis Sr. founded LD Davis Company in the basement of his father’s home in Philadelphia. With just an eighth-grade education but a boundless entrepreneurial spirit, Louis began creating stencil material for headstone engraving using gelatin glue and burlap. His first major product, “Speedsheet,” met growing market demand and soon led him into the adhesive space, particularly for the rigid box industry.
Strategic moves, like purchasing land in Bristol, PA, and involving family—including his wife Merle, who managed the office—helped the company scale rapidly. When the original stencil products became obsolete, Louis pivoted the company toward adhesives for packaging, puzzles, and woodworking. This adaptability laid the groundwork for a legacy built on resilience and reinvention.
(1959 - 1988) - Lou Davis: The Rescuer
Lou Davis joined the family business in 1959, just as the rigid box industry was waning. By 1974, he had taken over leadership and was facing rising costs and shrinking margins. His breakthrough came from an unlikely source: pharmaceutical gelatin capsule byproducts, which were previously discarded as waste. Lou saw an opportunity to repurpose this gelatin as a sustainable, cost-effective raw material.
By introducing recycled materials into the adhesive manufacturing process, Lou not only lowered costs but also positioned LD Davis as a pioneer in eco-friendly glue solutions. His efforts led to global distribution across more than 20 countries and ensured the company’s future success through innovation and sustainability.
(1988 – Present) - Louis ‘Tripp’ D. Davis III: The Visionary
In 1988, Louis D. Davis III—known as Tripp—joined the company with a vision to honor the family legacy while driving LD Davis into the future. Learning the ropes from his father, he embraced a hands-on approach rooted in relationship-building and innovation. After assuming leadership in 2000, Tripp doubled down on sustainable practices, product quality, and global growth.
One of Tripp’s landmark achievements was securing biodegradable certification for LD Davis’ gelatin-based adhesives, helping clients move away from plastic-based glues. Under his leadership, the company cultivated a collaborative culture and became a worldwide leader in protein-based adhesive solutions. Today, LD Davis continues to grow under Tripp’s guidance—building Bonds for Life™ with every product and partnership.
Why LD Davis
We specialize in innovative glue and gelatin applications that meet the evolving needs of manufacturers worldwide. From custom formulas to fast response times, we’re committed to delivering excellence at every step.
- 100 years of innovation
- High-performance glue solutions
- Testing at our R&D lab in Monroe, NC
- Fast Response & Turnaround
- Proven Customer Satisfaction
Our History
1926
Our story begins when Louis D. Davis Sr. launched LD Davis from his father’s home in North Philadelphia, PA. He filed three patents for a stenciling product used in the monument engraving industry, using raw gelatin glue as a key ingredient.
1936
To keep ahead of the competition, Louis Sr. developed a dehydrated glue product for the rigid box industry. By this time, the growing business had moved into a foundry in Bristol, PA.
1950
By the late 1950s, LD Davis Sr. stopped rendering hides in-house, opting instead to source them from large vendors in the U.S., Europe, and South America. Around this time, Louis Davis Jr. joined the company and developed Pink Special—a cost-effective, pink-colored box glue.
1975
Louis Davis Jr. became the second-generation owner and began building strong relationships with global pharmaceutical companies. These partnerships allowed LD Davis to shift from traditional hide glue to recycled pharmaceutical netting as the main ingredient in its adhesives.
1980
Construction began on our manufacturing facility in Monroe, NC. Recognizing the need for diverse adhesive options, LD Davis acquired Adhesive Products of Georgia, expanding into the distribution of water-based liquid glues and hot melt glue.
1991
We sold our original Bristol manufacturing site to the local municipality and officially moved all production to our Monroe, NC, facility.
1995
LD Davis reached a major milestone: producing 20 million pounds of gelatin glue annually at our Monroe location.
2000
Tripp Davis became the third-generation owner of LD Davis.
2001
LD Davis was named H.B. Fuller’s largest distributor for bookbinding glues in the small to mid-size markets.
2008
We opened our corporate office in Jenkintown, PA, and launched our blog to provide educational resources for customers.
2016
LD Davis celebrated 90 years of business—nearly a century of trusted glue innovation.
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, LD Davis was designated an essential business and remained fully operational. We proudly supplied critical adhesives for paper towels, vaccine shipping boxes, and the puzzles and games that brought comfort during a difficult time.
Partner With Us for Bonding Solutions
Our adhesive experts are ready to help you find the best glue for your manufacturing production.