Swansenreport

Neenah Foundry Company, located in Neenah, Wisconsin, is a historically significant and prominent manufacturer of cast iron products, particularly renowned for its municipal and construction castings. Its long history, range of products, and impact on the local community make it a notable entity.

 

History and Evolution

 

Neenah Foundry’s roots stretch back to 1872 when William Aylward, Sr., founded Aylward Plow Works. Initially, the company focused on producing plow blades and other agricultural implements for the burgeoning farming communities in the Fox River Valley. As the company grew, Aylward’s sons joined the business, and the product line diversified to include other iron goods like cast iron stoves and barn door rollers.

 

Key milestones in its history include:

 

1904: The company began producing manhole covers and sewer grates, a product line that would become its most recognizable.

 

1918: Edward Charles Aylward, William’s son, established a second foundry, the E.C. Aylward Foundry, in Neenah.

 

1922: To avoid confusion between the two foundries, Edward officially renamed his company Neenah Foundry Co., eventually acquiring his father’s original Aylward Sons Company.

 

Great Depression and WWII: Neenah Foundry saw growth during the Great Depression due to demand for municipal castings through Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects. During World War II, it shifted to wartime production.

 

Post-War Expansion: The 1950s, particularly with the Federal Aid Highway Act, fueled significant growth. Neenah Foundry became the largest casting facility in the world and a national leader in construction castings. Employment and sales soared.

 

Acquisitions and Modernization: Over the years, the company expanded its operations, acquiring other iron manufacturers like Deeter Foundry in Nebraska. It also invested in modernizing its facilities and adopting advanced technologies for molding and production.

 

Family Ownership Ends: After five generations of Aylward family ownership, Neenah Foundry was sold in 1997 to Cast Metal Products Co.

 

Bankruptcy and Subsequent Acquisitions: The company filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and again in 2010, but emerged from it. More recently, in 2022, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co. acquired Neenah Enterprises Inc., which included Neenah Foundry.

 

Products and Services

 

Neenah Foundry specializes in cast iron products, primarily serving the infrastructure and construction markets. Its product portfolio is extensive and includes:

 

Municipal Castings: This is their flagship product line, most notably manhole frames and covers. Millions of Neenah Foundry manhole covers are found in towns and cities across the United States, often featuring custom logos for specific municipalities or developments. They also produce inlet frames and grates, combination inlets, and manhole adjusting rings.

 

Construction Castings: This includes a wide range of products for various construction applications, such as trench frames and grates.

 

Specialty Castings: Neenah Foundry also manufactures custom castings to meet specific customer requirements, including unique designs for public spaces, airports, bridges, and utilities.

 

Other Products: Their offerings extend to valves and gates, catch basin traps, access and hatch covers, and various types of tree grates for landscaping and streetscaping.

 

Innovative Solutions: The company has also developed innovative products like “Camlift” manhole covers for easier, safer operation and “InfraLOCK” manhole covers for high security and pressure release.

 

Neenah Foundry leverages its engineering expertise, R&D capabilities, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes (including automated molding lines and robotic grinding cells) to produce durable and highly engineered cast iron solutions.

 

Impact on Neenah, Wisconsin

 

Neenah Foundry has had a profound and long-lasting impact on the city of Neenah, Wisconsin:

 

Economic Pillar: For over 150 years, the company has been a significant employer and economic driver for the city. Its operations have provided countless jobs and contributed substantially to the local economy.

 

Industrial Heritage: The foundry is a cornerstone of Neenah’s industrial heritage, representing a vital part of the city’s identity and development. The historical growth of the company often mirrored the growth and urbanization of the surrounding region and the nation.

 

Community Involvement: While specific details on recent community involvement might require more current data, companies with such deep roots often play a role in local initiatives and philanthropy.

 

Challenges and Adaptation: Like many traditional manufacturing industries, Neenah Foundry has faced economic challenges, including market shifts, global competition, and bankruptcy filings. These events have undoubtedly had an impact on the workforce and local sentiment, but the company’s continued operation, even under new ownership, speaks to its resilience and the enduring demand for its products. Layoffs, such as the one in 2022 affecting 115 workers, highlight the ongoing need for the company to adapt to market conditions.

 

National Recognition: The sheer ubiquity of Neenah Foundry’s products, particularly its manhole covers, has given the city of Neenah a unique form of national recognition in the realm of infrastructure.

 

In summary, Neenah Foundry Company stands as a testament to American manufacturing, with a rich history of innovation and a crucial role in building and maintaining the infrastructure of communities across the country. Its journey from a plow works to a leading cast iron producer has deeply interwoven its story with that of Neenah, Wisconsin.