Name/Title
The M & M Gray Iron Foundry, Inc.Scope and Content
Historical information on The M & M Gray Iron Foundry, Inc. for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
The M & M Gray Iron Foundry, Inc.
The M & M Gray Iron Foundry, Inc., 640 Maxon Street, can trace it's beginnings back over 100 years! The foundry was known as the Althouse-Wheeler Company when, in 1902, it was purchased by Ed Doney and renamed the Milfound Company, which included a complex of various other manufacturing concerns. These buildings were in the block bordered on the north by Washington Street (now Waupun's present Main Street), the east by Drummond Street, the south by Jefferson Street and the west by the railroad tracks. The office was located in a house on Washington Street and the foundry building was on the corner of Jefferson and Drummond Streets.
In 1934 Mr. Doney sold to the Shaler Company, which was located directly across the street on the south side of Jefferson Street. The foundry building burnt down in 1935 but was rebuilt on the same location. Some of the production was temporarily moved to Sheboygan Falls with activities coordinated between there and Waupun. During this time, the foundry manager was George McBride, formerly of Milwaukee; Gus Zielinski was the Office Manager and. Les Chandler, plant superintendent.
In 1940 the Shaler Company decided to phase out the foundry business and use the building for a new division of their company, the National Rivet Company. At this time, Mr. and Mrs. George McBride and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Maitre formed a partnership and purchased the foundry business and equiptment from the Shaler Company. The city of Waupun, eager to keep the industry in the community, built a complex of buildings at 640 Maxon Street and leased these buildings to the newly formed M & M Gray Iron Foundry. This new plant went into production on May 5, 1941 with George McBride continuing as General Manager, Les Chandler as Plant Superintendent and Hank Krause, also a former foundry employee, as Office Manager. Mr. Maitre stayed in the employment of the Shaler Company. In 1943 the McBrides bought the Maitre's interest in the foundry and An 1946 purchased the land and buildings from the city of Waupun.
Besides being a vital industry during the World War II years, the foundry manufactures many items, most of which are intregal parts of such diverse finished products as motors, agricultural, heating and laundry equiptment, factory replacement parts and ornamental iron items, to mention a few. During full production time the foundry personnel numbers aprox. 45 employees.
In 1956 George McBride, Jr., who'd received experience in all phases of the foundry's operation, became it's full time Salesman. In 1959 Les Chandler retired as Superintendent and was succeeded by Walter Pollock who'd been with the company since 1941. At the end of 1971 Mr. and Mrs. George McBride, Jr. purchased the company from the Senior McBrides and the business became The M & M Gray Iron Foundry.; Inc. in 1972. The next year Robert Wink, formerly of Omro, Wis. became the foundry Office Manager as Hank Krause became semi-retired.
As the M & M Foundry has remained an established industry in Waupun for many years, it's future plans to do so became obvious in 1973 when it installed the expensive addition of anti-pollution equiptment. The M & M Foundry is proud to be a part of Waupun's heritage and will continue to support the area in all aspects.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
