Our Legacy: Protecting Your Most Vital Assets Since 1951

For nearly 75 years, the name FireKing has stood for one thing: uncompromised protection. Our story isn't just about steel and insulation—it’s about the peace of mind that comes from knowing your business history, your legal rights, and your future are safe from the unthinkable.

1951: A Mission Born from Necessity

In the wake of World War II, America entered a new era of record-keeping. With the passage of the Federal Records Act of 1950, the government and private sectors suddenly faced a significant challenge: how to protect "vital records" essential to staying in business.

In New Albany, Indiana, L.G. Carlisle and two partners identified a market gap. While standard metal cabinets provided storage for paper, they offered no fire protection. They founded Murphy Manufacturing with a singular, driving purpose: preventing loss. Rooted in Midwestern craftsmanship, the young company began building fire-rated filing cabinets that not only held documents—they guarded them.

1980: The "Drop Test" That Changed Everything

In 1975, leadership passed to the founder’s grandson, Van Carlisle. He officially renamed the company FireKing International, aligning our identity with our flagship brand. But it was his 1980 strategy that set us apart for good.

At the time, the industry standard was the "fire-only" file. Van saw a flaw: in a real building fire, floors collapse, and ceilings fall. A file that survives the heat but splits open upon impact is a failure.

FireKing made the bold move to leave the “fire-only” category behind, committing exclusively to the UL 72 Class 350 standard, which includes a rigorous 30-foot drop test. This signaled to the market: if it isn’t impact-rated, it isn’t a FireKing. That decision elevated our protection promise and helped transform FireKing from a small player into an industry leader, achieving roughly sevenfold growth in just five years.

A Heritage of Innovation

Over the decades, we didn't just grow; we evolved.

• A 125-Year Lineage: In 1990, we acquired Meilink Industries, owned by Charles Meilink who is credited with inventing the modern fireproof safe in 1899. This brought over a century of security heritage into the FireKing family.

• Beyond Paper: As the world went digital, so did we. We pioneered "smart safe" technology and specialized media vaults designed to protect sensitive hard drives and digital evidence from heat and humidity.

• Industry Icons: We launched the FireKing 25 and the space-saving FireKing Turtle, products that remain the gold standard for businesses worldwide.

Today: Proudly Made in America

Today, FireKing International LLC has returned to its roots. Still based in New Albany, Indiana, we are the only U.S. manufacturer of fire-resistant filing cabinets. We are a streamlined team of experts focused on one thing: designing and building the world's best fire-rated storage systems. When you choose FireKing, you aren't just buying a cabinet—you’re investing in nearly 75 years of proven reliability and a workforce dedicated to protecting what you can’t afford to lose.