History of The Dalton Foundries, Inc.

in Warsaw, Indiana

History of The Dalton Foundries, Inc. . . .

. . . Shortly after the turn of the century, 1910 to be exact, Mr. Donald J. Dalton moved to Warsaw, IN from Chicago and started a small gray iron foundry on Warsaw's west side. At first, 25 people were kept busy making a home cobbler set for do-it-yourself shoe repair.

However, it was not long before castings were being produces for other companies, and this soon became the major part of the business.
. . . By 1913 more room was needed. The plant moved to the present location on East Jefferson Street. World War I saw the business engaged in the war effort and buildings were added to the plant.
. . . In 1918 Sunderland Pump Company of Chicago was purchased and Big Boy Hand Air Pumps became one of our products.
. . . In 1923 Mr. Dalton formed the Dalton Malleable Castings Company and added malleable castings to the existing line of gray iron castings. Later the same year the name Dalton Foundries, Inc. was adopted to include all activities. Business was expanded by adding customers whose names were well-known in American industry. In the 30's when many other businesses were failing, Dalton Foundries managed to keep the doors open. No Dalton employee was laid off due to the depression.
. . . In 1940, the Conrad Jack Company was acquired.
. . . World War II again saw Dalton Foundries keyed to the war effort, during the 40's all departments were expanded and new facilities were added. We made parts for bombs, mortar shells, gun mounts, marine valves, railroad castings, etc.
. . . Upon the death of Mr. Donald J. Dalton in 1947, his son Bill headed the company until he passed away in 1952. Mr. Charles H. Ker became President and served in that capacity until 1959, at which time he was elected Chairman of the Board and W. M (Matt) Dalton became the President.
. . . In 1959 the Endicott Church Furniture Company joined us as a subsidiary and in 1969 the first steel was poured at Dalton Precision in Cushing, Oklahoma, a new casting plant designed to produce quality castings in iron by the shell molding process.
. . . Mr. Eugene E. Paul joined Dalton Foundries as President of the Corporation January 1, 1968. Mr. W. M. Dalton was elected Chairman of the Board and Mr. Charles H. Ker retired. (... our sales brochure of 1938:)
. . . In 1968 plant improvements included installation of the Herman line and the Disamatic automatic molding line which went into production the latter part of 1972.
. . . Because heavy capital expenditures would be required to modernize the malleable facility, and as the market potential for malleable castings has been declining, the Malleable Foundry was be phased out on June 21, 1974.
. . . In 1975, the second Disamatic was installed.
. . . In 1976, installed Herman II. . . . We continued to expand until 1982 when we had the first major layoff in the company's history, due to business conditions. Dalton Precision operations closed and was placed for sale due to lack of business.
. . . In 1985, the company was sold to the salaried employees under "Employee Stock Option Plan" (ESOP), and Kenneth Davidson was appointed President and CEO.
. . . In 1989, we expanded the Core Room by 23,000 sq. ft. This expansion was made to give us enough room for least cost manufacturing techniques, improved environmental equipment, and safer working conditions.
. . . In 1990, we phased out the Disamatic Foundry and started construction of a "State of the Art" large casting facility to better produce current Pallet Line jobs and attract new value added products. This year we acquired Newnam Manufacturing, Inc. a gray iron foundry in Kendallville, IN. . . . In 1998, Dalton Corporation was acquired by Neenah Foundry Corporation which is a part of the ACP Holding Company.

... our sales brochure of 1957:

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