With the dark winds of the Depression receding from view, Hager could now look towards what lay ahead. Although 1943 brought a bittersweet change of leadership as Charles A. Hager passed away and Richard G. Hager, another son of Charles Hager, became the company's fourth president, World War II allowed Hager to manufacture many different types of hinges for the military. 

Amidst the trials of the Depression and the war, Hager stood strong. A testament to the company's spirit, women played a pivotal role in keeping the production line running smoothly, even as a significant part of the company and the nation were dedicated to the war effort. Their unwavering dedication and resilience embodied the company's ethos, proving the famous motto, 'We can do it!' to be more than just words.

After the war ended, Archer Hager became the company's fifth president after Richard G. Hager's death. He started working as a shipping clerk when he was 18 years old. Keeping true to his dedication to his family's company, by the time he ascended to the presidency, Archer had operated every piece of machinery in every department of the company. Looking at the post-war prospects, Archer expanded the company's output and reached for the next ample opportunity: the post-war residential and commercial building boom.