In 1987, Mike Montgomery and Bryan Trowbridge were two school friends who shared a hobby of metal working. In space at the back of Bryan's family business in Versailles, Indiana, they worked to together on their hobby. Soon news spread of their capabilities. The hobby became a daily demand for equipment repair and machining projects. As demand continued to grow, it became apparent there was a small business developing. They decided to found MonTrow Tool & Machine, Inc...
As business growth required greater commitment of time, they became aware they had different needs for their futures. Bryan remained in Versailles to keep his previous commitments with his family business and Mike moved the company to a small place in North Vernon, Indiana. The two remained friends.
Once in the new facility, the company grew quickly. After a short time a common need from the customer was revealed. The customer needed something more than just a product or service…. The customers needed project management and engineering support.
MonTrow stopped being a job shop. MonTrow became a customer support business. MonTrow began to seek customers who would benefit from improvement in their manufacturing processes, techniques for cost controls, dimensionally consistent tooling replacements, increased tooling life and ergonomic advances of tooling and equipment designs. MonTrow developed systems and processes to meet these customer needs.
After the final system of data collection and control was created, this technique was first used on a century old method for creating steel rule dies. In 1989 Montrow developed automated equipment and a quality control system for producing poly-film rule dies. This process still continues today.
With the success of the poly-film die project, the system was used for extrusion mold replacement tooling, stamping die replacement tooling and special equipment modifications to increase cycle time and reduce routine maintenance requirements.
This offered a new opportunity of designing and building specialized equipment. 1994 MonTrow relocated to a 10,000 square foot facility located on Fifth Street in North Vernon, Indiana to accommodate designing and building specialty machines.
The next few years MonTrow experiences rapid growth. This growth brought about the insight that different skill sets need different work environments. The idea came about of creating small separate business centered on specific skill sets.
In 1998 MonTrow purchased land and began the development of the Montrow Industrial Park. This was to accommodate the smaller spin-off business. The first step was a new 15,000 square foot building for the existing Montrow Tool & Machine, Inc business. This was completed in 2000.
The following year, MonTrow started the first spin-off company Parkway Manufacturing, Inc. and incorporated it in July of 2001. Parkway retained the existing building and operated the rule die, roll forming and screw machine operations. Also in 2001, MonTrow formed Industrial Interest, Inc. to handle the Montrow Industrial Park development.
The next challenge was the need for talented machinist, engineers and tool makers. To accommodate this need MonTrow partnered with Ivy Tech College and registered two apprentice programs. One with the federal government's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training and the Veterans affairs.
With the continued insight of different work environments for different skill sets, the stamping dies and related tooling became the next priority. At this point MonTrow knew it didn't have the best practices in the stamping die field. To correct this, in 2004, Montrow Tool & Machine, Inc. began a joint venture with Chiyoda Kogyo Company LTD., located in Nagoya, Japan. The Joint venture was named Chiyoda Montrow Die Mfg., Inc. (CMD) and was incorporated in March of 2004. CMD produces stamping dies using Japanese methods and quality standards for design, build and maintenance. Dies are also manufactured in Japan and shipped to the customers in the United States for trials and testing before they go into mass production. Members from CMD and Japan work side by side during these trials and testing. Once the dies are in the US, CMD will obtain the original drawings so that they may tune, modify, and maintain the stamping dies.
The next operation to optimize the separated work environments was the specialized machines operations. In 2010 Macro Strategies (MacStrat) was created. Eric Genda, one of the principle officers of MonTrow developed and operates this business division.
As the businesses continue to grow, customer demands for services outside of MonTrow's core business model increased. The customer wanted to continue with MonTrow's business method yet also needed a low cost alternative to common machine and tooling components. To meet this need, Montrow developed a business with Peiwei Wang. Mr. Wang created and operates Wang Consulting located in Columbus, Indiana. Mr. Wang is Chinese and works hand in hand with select Chinese manufacturers to supply quality parts and supplies for all aspects of all of the Montrow Group companies.
The next advancement in MonTrow's business model is expanding the practice and systems closer to core customers. The first of these expansions was in 2015. Montrow Tool & Machine, Inc had expanded their business to Kentucky. The Montrow, Frankfort Division was opened in Frankfort, Kentucky in order to be closer to customers in Kentucky and to better meet their demands. The Montrow, Frankfort Division produces specific, dimensionally consistent replacement components.
The current phase of our story is the opportunity for product production. In 2016, Montrow Tool & Machine, Inc. purchased a 40,000 square foot building on JFK Drive in North Vernon, IN. The design of this latest expansion will allow us to set up entire production lines to evaluate and adjust the operation prior to dis-assembly and shipping to the customer. The customer will have the assurances the line will be fully operation when the equipment arrives at their facility. Building renovations are in process now and will be completed the end of 2017.
Our story has been 30 years in the making. We are excited about what new chapters lay ahead. Our day to day methods and systems change rapidly. Our insights and drive to build a great company that will last into the next century is unwavering.
Thank you,
Mike
