Founder of Gorilla Glue

Learning about the founder of Gorilla Glue reveals a tale of craftsmanship, curiosity, and global entrepreneurship. Mark Singer, a skilled woodworker and furniture maker from California, discovered a powerful Danish-made adhesive during a visit to Indonesia in the early 1990s. Recognizing its potential, he acquired the rights for North America, developed the brand name Gorilla Glue, and launched a company in 1994. That simple yet bold decision transformed both his life and creative industry.

Table of Contents

Mark Singer’s Early Career and Discovery

Mark Singer honed his skills under master craftsmen, including Sam Maloof, and eventually founded his own furniture business, Giati Designs. In the late 1980s, he traveled to Indonesia seeking high-quality teak for his outdoor furniture line. There he discovered a moisturecured polyurethane adhesive made in Denmark. Mesmerized by its strength and versatility on teak and its potential across other materials he asked the manufacturer to adjust the formula slightly and secured the North American rights to distribute the adhesive.

Turning an Idea into a Brand

Upon returning to the United States, Singer tested the adhesive extensively and recognized its broader applications. In 1994, he coined the name Gorilla Glue, designed its iconic logo, and launched The Gorilla Glue Company in Ohio. Initially aimed at woodworkers, the glue quickly gained traction across DIY, industrial, and consumer markets due to its unmatched bonding capability on wood, stone, metal, ceramics, foam, and more.

Growth and Transition of Ownership

After founding the company, Singer sold it to the Ragland family in 1999. Under the Raglands’ leadership, the company expanded rapidly and diversified its product portfolio to include Gorilla Tape, Gorilla Super Glue, Gorilla Epoxy, and construction adhesives. The Gorilla Glue Company remains privately owned and family-operated in Cincinnati (later moved to Sharonville, Ohio).

Leadership and Culture

Today, the company is guided by brothers Pete and Nick Ragland as co-presidents. It embraces a founding ethos known as The Gorilla Way built on quality, community, and supporting employees. The company has been repeatedly recognized as a top place to work in Cincinnati, reflecting its supportive and values-driven culture.

Brand Evolution and Product Line

The Gorilla brand expanded quickly beyond the original polyurethane glue. It now includes super glue in fast-setting and gel formats, construction adhesives, wood glue variants, sealants, tapes, and even skincare products under the O’Keeffe’s name. Each product upholds the core promise: strong enough for the toughest jobs on planet Earth.

Mark Singer’s Legacy and Return to Woodworking

Though he founded a major adhesive brand, Singer eventually sold the company to focus on his passion for woodworking. As of the late 2010s and early 2020s, he returned to shop-based craftsmanship, finding fulfilment in creating furniture with his hands rather than running a global business.

Reflections on Innovation

Mark Singer’s journey provides valuable lessons in spotting underappreciated innovation and acting decisively. He identified a powerful tool developed overseas, adapted it to new markets, and built a globally recognized brand from the ground up. His story underscores how creativity, technical skill, and entrepreneurial vision can turn a simple material into a cultural icon.

Why This Story Matters

The tale of Gorilla Glue’s founding offers insight into product development, niche marketing, and brand building. From experimental glue in Indonesia to household recognition in the United States, this story is also a testament to thinking beyond your immediate craft. Mark Singer transformed his woodworking challenge into an adhesive empire and ultimately chose to return to what felt most authentic to him.

Discovery of a high-performance adhesive abroad.
Securing distribution rights and creating a strong brand identity.
Growth into diversified product offerings.
Emphasis on quality, community, and American manufacturing.
Creator’s return to craft after founding a successful company.

Mark Singer, the founder of Gorilla Glue, combined craftsmanship and innovation to introduce a glue known for extreme durability across materials. His hands-on background in woodworking enabled him to recognize the product’s potential and transform it into a household name. Though he sold the company in 1999 and retired from active leadership, his legacy lives on in the brand’s ethos and global success. Today, Gorilla Glue stands as a symbol of strong bonds both literal and entrepreneurial. Singer’s choice to return to woodworking reminds us that true fulfillment often comes from pursuing passion, even amid extraordinary accomplishment.