Bonnell Aluminum history

In 1960, five years ahead of schedule, he made the final payment to his partner to gain full ownership of the company, but in December 1960 Bonnell died.

However, when General Motors and Standard put the company up for sale in 1962, large chemical companies like DuPont and Dow Chemical were prevented from bidding on the property due to antitrust laws.

1965: Ethyl Corporation acquires the company.

The aluminum business was augmented in 1969 with the opening of a new extrusion plant in Carthage, Tennessee.

In 1984, Ethyl added to its aluminum group with the acquisition of Fiberlux Inc., a major manufacturer of replacement windows and patio doors.

Less than a year later, in February 1988, Tredegar and Reynolds agreed to another sale of assets.

A buyer was also sought for Capitol Products, but when that effort failed, the company in February 1991 closed down the Mechanicsburg plant.

In May 1997, Bonnell, through a Tredegar acquisition, added a four-press aluminum extrusions and fabrication plant in El Campo, Texas, from Reynolds Metals Company, the world's third largest aluminum company, which was shifting its focus to basic aluminum and consumer products.

1998: Canadian operations are acquired.

The situation would change in mid-2000, however, when Bonnell started to experience a decline in demand.

Bonnell completed an acquisition in 2003, buying Apolo Tool and Die Manufacturing Inc., a small Ontario, Canada-based aluminum fabricator with whom Bonnell had a longstanding relationship.