Attwood Corporation history

Attwood was founded in 1893 by Charles F. Attwood as Attwood Brass Works, making parts for carriages and hearses.

After graduating from high school in 1899 and earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois four years later, Atwood obtained a faculty position in the University of Wisconsin's engineering department.

Finding it difficult to ignore his entrepreneurial spirit, Atwood left the academic world in 1908 to produce and market his vacuum cleaner system, which consisted of a central unit and many tubes that allowed hoses to be attached at different points throughout a building.

Founded in 1909, the company has served a number of different commercial and industrial markets throughout its history including the automotive and agricultural sectors.

However, by 1910 James Atwood had moved Atwood Vacuum Machine Co. to his native Rockford, Illinois, where his brother Seth B. Atwood--who had been a student at the University of Wisconsin when the elder Atwood was a professor there--joined him in the venture.

The impetus came when a rattling door in Seth Atwood's automobile led to the development of an adjustable door bumper in 1915.

Production levels skyrocketed to 21 million units by the mid-1920s.

In 1925, the Atwood enterprise continued to prosper, leading to the construction of a new, 30,000-square-foot plant on North Main Street.

In 1936, a division was established to manufacture automobile and tractor clutches. It became the first manufacturer to produce concealed hinges for car doors, which were unveiled on the 1937 Graham-Page.

Atwood's clutch unit was acquired by the Toledo, Ohio-based Spicer division of Dana Corp. in 1947.

Growth through Acquisition: 1950-69

In 1952, Atwood constructed a new manufacturing plant at 1400 Eddy Avenue.

In mid-1958, Atwood announced that A.B.T. would remain a separate corporation but that all operations would move to Rockford.

1963: Atwood establishes a manufacturing facility in Havana, Illinois.

In early 1966, Atwood established the General Products Division to serve the automotive, trailer, and mobile home markets from the company's plants in Wixom, Michigan, and Rockford, Illinois (North Main Street).

In 1967, Atwood constructed a new foundry in Havana, Illinois, to make iron castings used mainly for non-automotive purposes.

In 1971, total company sales were approximately $50 million, $40 million of which was attributed to the Automotive and Contract Division and the remainder to the Mobile Products Division.

Completed in fall 1972--another record year for the Mobile Products Division--the new facilities were located on a 14-acre site.

In 1973, Atwood made several acquisitions.

1985: The Atwood family sells its enterprise to Anderson Industries.

According to Atwood President John Henriksen in the December 18, 1987, Rockford Register Star, the acquisition put the company in a stronger position to compete in the market for foreign automobiles manufactured in the United States.

In August, it purchased Travel Star Inc.'s line of cooking appliances, giving Atwood a market share of 50 percent in the recreational vehicle market for slide-in range ovens and drop-in ranges, according to the August 29, 1989 Rockford Register Star.

1990"Full Certification" awarded on caster program as a result of demonstrating its support of Steelcase quality standards.Attwood honored as "Supplier of the Year" by Four Winns.Steelcase Loss Control Achievement AwardNMDA Manufacturer of the Year Award- Top Manufacturer

Meanwhile, Atwood's Automotive Division was suffering from a reduction in orders, forcing the layoff of roughly 185 workers in December 1993.

In 1995, the Ballistic stainless steel propeller campaign began, featuring a bill board in Chicago for the Chicago boating show.

Finally, in 1996, the division announced its intention to purchase Greendale, Wisconsin-based The Compliance Group.

In 1998, the Ballistic product line was sold to Michigan Wheel Corporation, and the Reynosa, Mexico foundry was sold to Fansteel.

1999: Excel Industries is acquired by Dura Automotive Systems Inc., and Atwood Mobile Products becomes a division of Dura.