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FEATURE

For the 1988 and 2008 FIN articles on Rockford and a 2008 list of the 22 fastener companies in Rockford click on the Fastener History section.

The Mid-West Fastener Association will hold a dinner meeting in Rockford on May 20. Web: mwfa.net

In the 1800s wood screws and nails were needed to supply the furniture industry started by Swedish immigrants in Rockford.

The Rock River provided both transportation and the site for a dam that would harness waterpower for factories. The Galena & Chicago Union Railroad moved materials in and products out.

By 1900 Rockford was an industrial hub and a manufacturing center for machine tools, furniture and agricultural equipment.

Following World War II, some Rockford industries, including furniture and agricultural equipment, were nearly extinct. Fastener manufacturing and machine tool industries were at a fraction of their peak production.

By the mid-1980s unemployment was setting records. Beyond the factories, Rockford historically led in fastener technology.

In 2002 the Industrial Fasteners Institute awarded the late Ray Carlson its Trowbridge Technology Award. Carlson was recognized for developing the Raycarl heading process, which expanded manufacturing capabilities, in both size and complexity, to levels that continue to benefit the cold forming industry.

In 1988 FIN reported on Rockford’s globe trotting Rockford Council of 100 to enlighten manufacturers, both here and abroad, about the benefits of locating their facilities in the northern Illinois community, located about 85 miles northwest of Chicago.

Rockford’s manufacturing sector is particularly strong. About 37% of the area’s workforce is employed in manufacturing compared to just 19% nationally.

Among the fastener companies in Rockford in 1988 were Elco Industries Inc.; Rockford Products Corp.; Mid-States Screw Corp.; Rock River Fastener Corp.; Jackson Screw Co.; Gaffney Bolt & Nut Co.; Southern Imperial, Inc.; Metalcrafters Div. Of Keystone Consolidated Industries; Camcar-Textron, Alpine Screw Products Inc.; Rebco Fasteners Inc.

The Rockford contingent of manufacturers and community representatives visited Germany and Sweden in 1988.

They were promoting the advantages of a new $8.7 million Technology Center at Rock Valley College.

In 2008 FIN visited Rockford to update the city’s role in the fastener industry. Heading toward Rockford on Interstate 90 are 18-wheelers loaded with coils of wire rod. The trucks are a visible sign that Rockford is still a fastener manufacturing town.

In 2008 Rockford’s economic leaders were talking about titanium and other high-tech fastener products as the future for the industry in Rockford.

Despite the Asian competition, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council lists 22 fastener companies in the city, which has a population of 152,916 and claims a three-county metropolitan area of 339,100.

For the 1988 and 2008 FIN articles on Rockford and a 2008 list of the 22 fastener companies in Rockford click on the Fastener History section. ©1988/2008/2010 GlobalFastenerNews.com