Gentex Corporation began operation as Klots Throwing Company in Carbondale, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Originally in New York, the throwing plant owned by Henry Durrell Klots burned down in 1894. After the fire, Marcus Frieder, bookkeeper for Klots, suggested building in Carbondale to use the untapped workforce of wives and daughters of local coal miners. Henry Klots agreed and named Frieder manager of the new plant and, eventually, secretary and general manager of the company. Frieder became president upon the death of Henry Klots in 1914.