Our mission is to supply the highest quality leather sealing products backed by responsive engineering support and dependable service. We strive to deliver solutions that reduce downtime, extend service life and lower total ownership costs.
About Monarch-McLaren
Precision leather seals and packings since mid-century
For more than half a century, Monarch-McLaren has proudly served as America’s premier manufacturer of leather seals and packings—delivering precision-engineered and custom-manufactured solutions to industries around the globe.
Our Legacy and heritage
The roots of Monarch-McLaren trace back to the consolidation of the leather-sealing divisions of four distinguished companies: Hercules Products (including the E. F. Houghton line of West Virginia), Albert Trostel Packings of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, International Packings Corporation of New Hampshire, and C.F. Adams of Texas.
In 1984, Monarch-McLaren acquired the leather divisions of both Albert Trostel Packings Ltd. and International Packings Corporation, integrating them into our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
That rich heritage gives us a singular advantage: decades of material science, craftsmanship and application experience that few can match.
Our Mission
What We Do
At Monarch-McLaren we design and manufacture premium leather sealing and packing components for hydraulic, pneumatic, water-well, restoration, industrial and specialty applications. Our comprehensive capabilities include:
- Flange packings
- Vee packings
- U-packings (reciprocating pistons, plungers, rams)
- Cup and well-cup packings (from ½″ diameter up to 101″)
- Flat leather belting
- Back-up washers (meeting industrial and military specs such as MIL-W-5521 or KK-L-164A)
- Fully custom packings made to your specifications.
From tiny carburetor cups (½″ diameter) to massive U-packings measuring 101″ in diameter, our full-service custom manufacturing ensures we meet your precise size, material and performance requirements.
Capability Statement
Access our Capability Statement to quickly review Monarch-McLaren’s qualifications, capabilities and certifications — a handy resource for prospective partners and customers.
Why leather matters
Leather remains a premium sealing material for demanding applications—because it is naturally tough, highly pliable, self-lubricating, resistant to abrasion, cold-temperature tolerant, and able to handle greater wear clearances.
At Monarch-McLaren we further enhance these benefits through advanced impregnation techniques (Thiokol, carnauba wax, hard/soft wax), optimized material selection and rigorous quality controls—ensuring superior durability, lower maintenance costs and higher reliability for customers who cannot afford failure.
Our Commitment to quality and service
With our facility in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Monarch-McLaren combines rich craft tradition with modern manufacturing systems. Our team draws on over 75 years of cumulative experience to deliver exceptional quality, consistent reliability and shorter lead-times. We understand that our products often live in critical applications—where failure is not a viable option. That’s why we hold ourselves to the highest standards of precision, material control and finish.
Built to last
Our leather packings and seals are engineered for durability, long service life and dependable performance. They are designed to withstand demanding environments, accommodate greater wear clearances, resist abrasion, and handle the rigors of dynamic motion—while delivering lower maintenance and a longer lifecycle than many alternatives. This translates into real savings in downtime, labor, and replacement cost for our customers.
Industries and Applications We Serve
Our leather seals and packings are used in a wide variety of industries worldwide, including:
- Deep-well water systems, hand pumps and wind-driven wells
- Hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic actuators in industry and equipment
- Agricultural and irrigation equipment
- Industrial presses, hoists, lifting equipment and heavy machinery
- Valve systems, flange seals and stuffing boxes
- Antique machinery, restoration applications, vintage engines, printing presses and historic drive systems
- Specialty, aerospace, governmental and military specification applications with custom build requirements
Certifications and Industry Credentials
Monarch-McLaren’s commitment to quality and reliability extends beyond decades of craftsmanship — it also includes formal certifications that demonstrate our products meet rigorous third-party standards. We are officially registered with SAM.gov, the U.S. government’s System for Award Management, reflecting our compliance with federal requirements and making us an approved supplier for government and military procurement. In addition, many of our leather sealing and packing products are engineered and manufactured to meet or exceed strict performance standards such as military specifications MIL-W-5521 and KK-L-164 A, providing customers with confidence in applications where performance and durability are critical.
We are also proud to offer certified lead-free products recognized by the Water Quality Association (WQA). This certification signifies that select Monarch-McLaren products have been independently tested and verified for material safety and performance in potable water applications. The WQA’s certification programs, including the Gold Seal Program, evaluate components for structural integrity, contaminant reduction capability, and compliance with applicable NSF/ANSI standards — further assuring customers that our solutions are suitable for water systems requiring lead-free materials.
Your Partner in Performance
Whether you are an OEM engineer seeking the right sealing solution, a maintenance supervisor sourcing reliable replacements parts, or a distributor searching for a trusted supplier partner—you’ll find Monarch-McLaren ready to deliver. With full custom capability, in-house manufacturing, and a legacy built on decades of experience, we’re uniquely positioned to serve your toughest sealing challenges.
Put the expertise, craftsmanship and dedication of Monarch-McLaren to work for you. When it has to be right, we deliver.
