Gordon Manufacturing Company was founded in the early 1930's by Martin DeGraaf, who named the company after his youngest son, Gordon.

The first products focused on fabricated metal assemblies and included items such as sprinkler heads, bottle stoppers, deluxe radiator caps, couplers for aircraft carriers, and hand-operated washing machines.

Around 1970, the company, under the direction of Gordon DeGraaf, began to manufacture components for the office furniture industry such as tilt mechanisms and bases. It was under the strong leadership of Clare DeGraaf, Gordon's eldest son, that the company became a leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of a broad range of office furniture components.

In 1984, the company was purchased by Leggett & Platt Incorporated, the nation's largest manufacturer of components for the bedding and furniture industry. Leggett & Platt, formed in 1883 and headquartered in Carthage, Missouri, is today a leading manufacturer of engineered products serving several markets through their North American and international facilities.

Today, Gordon is a part of the L&P Office Components Group.