Name/Title
Berlin Seating, IncorporationScope and Content
Historical information on Berlin Seating, Incorporation for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI
Berlin Seating, Incorporation
Berlin Seating, Incorporation, opened its plant in 1964, with its grand opening on December 12, 1964.
The Industrial Development group constructed a building with approximately 24,000 square feet of floor space to house the Industry.
The Industry Development literally took to the street to sell debentures of $100, $500 or $1,000 to raise the $88,000 needed beyond the $70,000 secured by the three local lending institutions, State and National Banks and the Waupun Savings and Loan Association. The debentures will pay 5% interest.
The first shovel of earth was turned by Mayor Glen Wilson in March 1964 to start construction of the building.
Berlin Seating, Incorporation was formerly the Bleacher Division of Berlin-Chapman Company. It was purchased by a group of former Berlin-Chapman employees together with Mr. Schiavone
in March 1963.
The firm had a nation wide network of forty dealers located through out the United States and Canada. The firm owned its own truck fleet which was based in Waupun.
The firm's primary product is folding spectator seating for gymnasiums, They cake a complete line Of basketball backstops, outdoor portable and permanent bleachers. The seating equiqment is of the latest design and is available with Omega Electric Drive for rush button operation.
Berlin Seating, Incorporation deals primarily with schools, colleges, universities and municipalities, which are sold in Canada, Alaska and the United States.
Long before Berlin Seating planned to come to Waupun, it sold one of its E-Z Away bleachers to the local Christian High School. Prime mover in the foundation of the firm of Berlin Seating was Joseph Schiavone, president of the Wood Line Product, Inc. and the Poy Sippi Lumber Company. Working closely with Mr. Schiavone was Robert Walworth, chief engineer and vice president. Mr. Walworth is a native of Berlin and was one of the arigivators of the Berlin-Chapman Bleacher Company in 1949.
In March 1963, the Wood Line Products and the Berlin-Chapman Company were combined to form the Berlin Seating, Inc. David McCarthy, an employee of twelve years with Berlin-Chapman Company, was appointed general manager.
On September 6, 1973, Otto Christ, of Christ of Iron Works and Mid-State Tube of Kenosha obtained controlling interest of Berlin Seating. At that tine Jim Olson was president and Mr. Christ took the position of vise president and treasurer.
Berlin Seating started production of its new product line, namely, material handling equipment of storage and shipping containers and racks for transportation of good within and between industries. The majority of equipment is produced for John Deere, Dana Corporation, Caterpillar, Chrysler and Budweiser.
The Christ Iron Works and Mid--State Tube are both located in Kenosha. Mid-State Tube is presently the largest producer of steel tubing in Wisconsin. The plan produces 50,000 - 100,000
feet of tubing per month and produces the tubing used in bleacher manufacturing.
Mr. Christ first came to Kenosha in 1926 from Germany. In Kenosha he became skilled in the tool and die trade. In 1947, he started his business of repairing farm machinery in a 20 x 20
garage. Later he began doing ornamental iron work for individuals. He produced ornamental designs for interior and exterior products. From this he moved into the steel construction business, working with schools, churches and industry.
After he designed the first piece of handling equipment, he abandoned the construction business. This led to the development of the Christ Iron Works, which is one of the leading producers of
this type of equipment.
Six years ago he purchased a machine worth $250,000 for the manufacturing of steel tubing. Today Mid-State Tube passes 100,000 pounds of steel through this machine each day.
It was Berlin Seating that gave him the contact with Waupun. With the effort and advice of the Industrial Development group and his officers and advisors, Mr. Otto Christ was persuaded to take an active interest in Berlin Seating, Incorporation.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
