Northwood Forge is owned and operated by Ray Boucher. It has been open continuously in the same location on Route 4 in Northwood, NH since 1978. Originally, Northwood Forge was a blacksmith shop. Ray specialized in reproduction colonial hardware such as door latches, hinges and fireplace cranes. The items were sold from his shop, and for a while were available in specialty craft shops. In 1980, he began accepting welding jobs from local businesses. He was also approached by local sign makers and was asked to make sign hardware for them. About once a year, Ray would travel to various fairs in New Hampshire and demonstrate his blacksmithing. Over the years, he has made his share of truck racks, railings (a job he does not regret giving up!), table bases and even the bars for a jail cell!

As the financial crunch of the 1990’s hit, forged items were a luxury few people could afford. In an effort to find a steady source of work, Ray decided to find a niche where he could wholesale to established businesses rather than selling retail. He began to phase out of blacksmithing, and expand the welding side of his business.

In 1992, the first product brochures for Northwood Forge debuted. Using the phone book yellow pages, he sent a photocopied page with hand drawn sketches to sign shops advertising sign hardware.

Today, his wife Vicki runs the office at the shop. His youngest son, Thomas, helps to run the fabrication side of the business. Ray’s work is almost exclusive to the sign trade.