History of Tiffin Metal Products

Upon its recently announced merger with Steele Solutions, Inc., The Advertiser-Tribune took a look at Tiffin Metal Product's past and how it became the manufacturer it is today. Tiffin Metal Products marks its beginning on Nov. 23, 1903, when it was called The Tiffin Art Metal Co. At that time, products made were stamped ornamental steel ceiling panels such as those seen in older commercial structures, according to the company's website. The panels were also used in schools and courthouses. In 1928, with the advent of motoring, billboards became a fad and Tiffin Art Metal evolved as one of the two main manufacturers of large billboards in the country — and that part of the business continues today. "During the war years, products included military shell casings and barracks fire buckets," the website said. In 1942, a major portion of the building burned down but was later rebuilt. The company was a locally stock-owned company until the mid-1950s, when it was purchased by Springfield-Green Industries. At the time, the product line included metal corrugated roofing and down spouting. The company again changed hands in the early 1960s when it was purchased by Mid-Continent Manufacturing, and several government contracts were added, including components for high-reach boom trucks. Soon after, a new product line emerged — cabs for construction equipment such as cranes. Also, at this time a modular metal cabinet line was added for use primarily in schools. In 1969, a company named A-T-O absorbed Mid-Continent and the cab business was expanded into the agricultural market. The Tiffin plant largely made cabs for combines. The name was changed to Hadco-Tiffin in the early 1970s as a subsidiary of Hadco Engineering in Los Angeles, which was still part of the A-T-O group. The relationship with Hadco provided another product line to Tiffin — axles for travel trailers that were manufactured in Tiffin until 1975. Also, the agricultural cab markets were expanded. Later in the 1970s, the name was changed to Tiffin Metal Products and the plant became a full-fledged division of A-T-O. Shortly thereafter, A-T-O changed its name to Figgie International. In 1976, Tiffin Metal Products acquired the Sentinel Coin Locker division from Rohr-Flxible Co., making the Tiffin plant one of two U.S. manufacturers of coin-operated lockers in the country. In 1980, Tiffin Metal Products Co. again became a privately owned company when Willard P. Heddles purchased it and became the president, CEO and sole shareholder. Early in the 1990s, the company recognized the need for ergonomic tables for assembly and inspection use in the industry. The metal cabinet line was discontinued and evolved into work centers with height and tilt adjustment. Throughout the 1990s that line grew to be known as Tiffin Systems. "During this period we also added to our ergonomic product line by developing Work Seats, industrial task seating and Work Mats, anti-fatigue floor matting," the website said. "The company's license arrangement with the German firm that originally developed the Work Seats system remained in place until June 2005 when it was sold to make room for expansion of our locker and custom lines." In 2012, TMP added SST Gravity Chutes to its line of material handling equipment, and the success of the SST led to a high demand globally, resulting in a need for a $750,000 investment in new equipment and additional workforce. In 2016, TMP earned certification for its Quality Management System, which means it meets standards to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. In 2017, Heddles died unexpectedly, and Dysard was named his successor.