Our History

We are the original innovator and manufacturer of tamper evident security seals and solutions

As the original innovator and manufacturer of tamper evident security seal, our journey began in the 1870’s. E.J. Brooks & Company, initially the successor of manufacturing lead toy figurines, recognized a greater need for security solutions in the growing transportation and logistics industries. E.J. Brooks & Company transitioned from toy production to railroad and car seals with the invention of its first patented security seal. This innovation pioneered the beginning of a legacy dedicated to safeguarding assets and ensuring supply chain integrity across industries.

In 2009 with a shared commitment to innovation, compliance, and reliability, TydenBrammel, a leading provider of plastic based indicative seals and utilities solutions, merges with E.J. brooks to form TydenBrooks Security Products Group, creating the global leader of tamper-evident security solutions.

Growth Milestones

150 years of Leading the way, Securing the World through consistent Innovation, superior Quality, and unmatched customer Service

1870s

1870’s

1870 – EJ Brooks became the successor of a toy Company, that he renames EJ Brooks and Company.

1873 – EJ Brooks Co. transitions from lead toy manufacturer to manufacturer of security seals, officially establishing the company you know today. EJ Brooks patents its first security seal for his new company.

1875 – EJ Brooks and company replaced toy production with railroad car seals and began to act as a distributor for everything from conductor’s punches to rail worker’s uniforms.

1900s

Early 1900s

1907- EJ Brooks Co listed in Scientific American for innovative security seal patents.

1911- EJ Brooks patents the Car Seal. The Car Seal improved the safety and transportation of goods via railcars.

1913- EJ Brooks patents the Ball Seal.

1914- EJ Brooks patents the Self-Locking Seal.

1915- EJ Brooks patents the Bag Seal & Seal Press.

1920- EJ Brooks patents the Rivet Seal.

1923- EJ Brooks patents the Sealing Tool.

1924- EJ Brooks patents the Twist Lock Seal.

1940s

1941 – During WWII, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Brooks Company importance through the way came through the distribution of their oldest product: The Lead and Wire Seal. This seal was used to secure Allied and American Forces’ ammunition boxes. – The Newark, NJ plant made 13 million seals a month.

1947 – The United States Postal Department approved the Brooks All Metal Bag Seal for Foreign Parcel Post Mail and ordered eight million seals.

1960s

1964 – The industry’s first self-locking (no-tool application) Plastic Padlock Seal. The Brooks plastic padlock seal went on to be the industry standard for the next 30 plus years, undergoing at least 17 product improvements each of which contributed to the utility meter sealing and efficiency.

The 1960s saw the introduction of Plastic seals. Plastic seals were a hard sell and a slow transition from metal. Plastic seals did not become profitable until the 1970’s. Now, Plastic security seals are some of our best-selling products.

1970s

The 1970s saw the growth of Plastic security seals driven by the GripLock ® Coin Bag seal, the Poly Lok® Door seal for trucks and containers, and the Pull-Tite® for properly inspecting fire extinguishers.

1975 – Brooks began working to create a new line of products in demand by the electric utility industry, a stronger device for several types of meters to help cut down on vandalism.

1975 – The Brooks Rod Lok® High Security Bolt was introduced in two versions, straight and curved; to protect shipments in transit.

1978 – Brooks grew greatly, representing more than 20 selling agents in England, France, Italy, Australia, the Philippines, Venezuela, Malaysia & Canada.

1980s

1983 – Brooks acquires Zappa Plastics. Brammall was incorporated.

1985 – E.J .Brooks Industries Ltd. was incorporated in Canada.

1986 – E.J. Brooks (Europe) Limited was established.

1987 – Brooks introduced barcoded seals.

Mid 1980s – The company’s “Slim Jim” sales catalog was published that featured employees as “Our Most Valuable Asset.” Today we feel just as strongly about this sentiment!

1989 – Sigurd M. Moberg named Chairman Emeritus of EJ Brooks, after 62 years with the company. He worked his way up through the company and is responsible for the GripLock Coin Bag, Plastic Padlock and Pull-Tite Seal patents.

1990s

1995 – E.J. Brooks Company, Meter Devices Company and Ekstrom Industries. Inc., establish a new Utility Products Group. The new Utility Products Group is designed to increase Brooks’ level of service to water, gas and electric utility providers throughout the U.S. and the world.

1997 – Tyden merges with Brammall, supplier of the broadest line of security seals and locks to transportation industries to form TydenBrammall.

1998 – The Brooks barcoded Enduro Seal is introduced. A long lasting acrylic seal with a vinyl barcode. Brammall moved from Wohlert St. to Hoosier Dr which is the current location of the Angola, IN facility

2000s

2005 – Tyden Group Holdings was incorporated. Private Equity firm, Crimson Investment Group, purchased TydenBrammall

2006 – Tyden Group moved the headquarters from Michigan to Ohio

2006 – TydenBrammall expanded by starting operations in EMEA

2007 – TydenBrammall expanded into Mexico with introduction of the Monterrey facility

2009 – TydenBrammall merges with EJ Brooks, the leading provider of plastics-based indicative seals & utilities security solutions, to form TydenBrooks Security Products Group.

2010s

2010 – TydenBrooks merges with Stoffel Seals Corporation & Canada Mayer.

2011 – EJ Brooks discontinued their meter division and transfers the products to Ekstrom in Farmington Hills

2011 – TransGuard, which was a separate plant in Angola, shuts down

2011 – EJ Brooks moves from the Livingston, NJ into the Congers, NY location which was the home of Stoffel Seals

2011 – Stoffel Seals merged with EJ Brooks

2015 – TydenBrooks launches Web Stock products that ship in just 2 days.

2016 – TydenBrooks moves to laser marking seals and introduces 2D barcoding capabilities

2017 – TydenBrooks launches improved comprehensive website, continuing its tagline of “Leading the Way. Securing the World.”

TydenBrooks was acquired by Madison Industries in 2022 to further our commitment to growth and innovation. Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world, fosters and builds exceptional companies that are essential to our collective health and well-being. The Madison platform is designed to empower companies whose products make our lives better today and build them into the market leaders of tomorrow.