About Us

Wisdom Has a Long History of Exceeding Customers’ Expectations

Wisdom is committed to top quality industrial adhesive products and outstanding customer service.

First and foremost, we know the adhesives business and the needs of our customers. For five consecutive generations and more than 140 years, the Wisdom family has owned and operated Wisdom Adhesives. Founded in 1875 by Phillip Wisdom in the wake of the Chicago Fire, Wisdom Adhesives is thriving in the midst of the most incredible changes in technology and industry seen in our history.

Wisdom Adhesives develops and manufactures custom adhesives that keep pace with the needs of today’s packaging, paper converting, graphic arts, bookbinding, product assembly, flexible packaging, textile and general purpose industries, including our original market of bookbinders and publishers, a list of which reads like a historical “Who’s Who.”

Research and Development Department

Adhesive research and development in Elgin, IL  Adhesive research and development in Elgin, IL

Equipped with the most technologically advanced processing equipment, Wisdom Adhesives’ facility in Elgin, IL manufactures water-based, dextrin, and protein adhesives and includes hot-melt capabilities that produce mini-chip, pressure sensitive and other specialty products. We offer a wide range of tolling, packaging and private labeling capabilities.

With its team of scientists our on-site research and development department is continually working on new ways to strengthen Wisdom Adhesives product lines to meet our customers’ ever-changing needs for highly efficient and environmentally sustainable adhesives.

Product development capabilities of our on-site laboratories include:

Information to come.

Responsive Customer Service is Wisdom’s Way

Wisdom provides personalized service with a quick turnaround.  Wisdom provides personalized service with a quick turnaround.

When you do business with Wisdom Adhesives, our experienced and knowledgeable team of adhesives specialists will provide the support you need. We have a long-standing commitment to responding to our customers and their needs faster than any other company in the industry – often with a 24-hour turnaround. We take pride in providing our customers with personalized service second to none. Exceeding customer expectations is The Wisdom Way.