Sumter Metal Products Inc history

Loren H. Semler, Sr. went to work for Metal Specialties in 1931 when their Speedo Byke hit the market.

In 1962, Blott Robb Company was purchased and the Presto line of products was sold.

Finally, in 1971, Loren Specialty (formerly known as Metal Specialties), Meyer-Ekstrom and Blott Robb merged to become Semler Industries Inc.

In 1974, the Company used the knowledge and experience of its three operating groups to create the first waste ink recovery system for the newspaper industry.

In 1982, Semler developed the Sentinel Fuel Unloading System designed for the railroad industry for off-loading their shipments of diesel fuel.

In 1989, the Company developed the SemFlex Ink Washwater Recovery System for flexographic ink; the first system of its kind to recycle and allow reuse of print ink.

In 1992 Semler started on the renovation of 13 Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus garages; providing them with liquid handling equipment.

Sumter Coatings began its life in the fall of 1996.

The initial sale was to American Airlines. It was in 1999 that the first water filling nozzle was designed for the airline industry for potable water.

2000 started the decade of strict EPA and FDA Regulations for the airline industry for the water quality of their onboard drinking water.