Historical BackgroundIn 1872, a year before Neenah was a city, William Aylward opened the Aylward Plow Works (eventually Aylward Sons Co) with only two employees. This company, which initially produced plow blades for farms, laid the groundwork for what would become the Neenah Foundry. In 1881, the company began producing more iron goods, and by 1904 they first began to construct manhole covers and sewer gates. A second foundry was established in 1918 by William’s son Edward. In 1922, this company was officially known as Neenah Foundry Co, and they bought out his father’s original Aylward Sons Company. In wake of the Great Depression, the Foundry grew due to WPA projects, and production heavily increased to supply material for World War II. During the economic boom of the 1950s, President Eisenhower passed the Federal Aid Highway Act, and the Neenah Foundry became the largest casting facility in the world and the national leader in construction castings. Employment doubled to 700 between 1950 and 1960 while sales increased over 400%. In 1960, the Foundry opened Plant 2, and 7 years later, they opened Plant 3 which was geared for heavy manufacturing. Throughout the following decades, the plants modernized with new and efficient technology. After rebuilding Plant 3 and modernizing Plant 2 in the late 80s, the company closed the original Plant 1 in 1993 due to environmental reasons. In the following years, the Foundry would acquire other iron manufacturers such as Deeter Foundry in Nebraska and Mercer Forge Company in Pennsylvania.
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Aylward Family Lineage
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William Aylward founded Aylward Plow Works on Lake St in Neenah in 1872. His children learned the trade of the foundry while attending school, and they went into the family business while mastering the necessary skills. In 1879, William Jr joined the company and they changed the name to William Aylward & Sons Co. In an interview, one of William’s daughters describes that the foundry, just a small brick building at the time, was a part of their home. After William Aylward’s death in 1907, his sons Edward and William Jr became partners. Disagreements in management led Edward to create a second foundry, The E.C. Aylward Foundry, on Winneconne Ave in 1918. The presence of two different foundries in Neenah created confusion which led Edward to change the name to Neenah Foundry in 1922. The original Aylward & Sons Co operated at its Lake street location until Neenah Foundry bought the last of their inventory in 1940. When Edward died, his son Edmund succeeded him, and the business continued to prosper in the following decades. The company’s ownership continued to pass through the family, and Edmund’s son, E. William “Bill” Aylward, took over in 1958. Finally, his son, E William Aylward Jr, took ownership of the company in 1992. William Jr sold the Foundry in 1997 after 5 generations of successful family operations. By this time, the Neenah Foundry was a leading competitor in metal casting, and a commonly found name in streets across the world.
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History of the Buildings
Plant 1 was opened in 1918 by Edward Aylward. The original building was located at 500 E Winneconne Avenue. In its prime, the building had a gray and ductile iron capacity of 250 tons. Throughout the 21st century, the building was expanded many times and completely modernized in 1971 with newer emission control equipment. Due to production and environmental reasons, Plant 1 was shut down in 1993.
Plant 2 was opened in 1960 at 2121 Brooks Avenue to produce gray iron and municipal castings. At the time, it was the largest producer of construction casting in the world with a daily capacity of 300 tons. Modern emission control equipment was installed in 1973 and the plant was modernized again in 1989. After the close of Plant 1, the production heavily increased in Plants 2 and 3. Technology still continues to improve the processes of the Neenah Foundry. For example, the K-W Molding Line was installed in 2008, and this computerized process helps make the molds at an even more efficient rate.
Plant 3 also produces vast amounts of industrial castings and ductile iron with a daily capacity of 250 tons. This building was opened in 1967, adjacent to Plant 2 at the Brooks Ave location. Modern emission control equipment was installed during 1972, and the plant was completely redone in 1987 with advanced and contemporary equipment. Another modern addition to Plant 3 occured in 2002 when Laser Pour unit was installed to increase production.
The Corp Office Building, designed in the 1970s, was inspired by the old-fashion, Southern styled buildings. It is located at 2121 Brooks Ave near Plants 2 & 3. The building welcomes guests, potential employees, and staff to develop a better understanding of the history and processes of the Neenah Foundry. This office building sets NF apart from other foundries since many do not have an inviting building open to visitors.
Plant 2 was opened in 1960 at 2121 Brooks Avenue to produce gray iron and municipal castings. At the time, it was the largest producer of construction casting in the world with a daily capacity of 300 tons. Modern emission control equipment was installed in 1973 and the plant was modernized again in 1989. After the close of Plant 1, the production heavily increased in Plants 2 and 3. Technology still continues to improve the processes of the Neenah Foundry. For example, the K-W Molding Line was installed in 2008, and this computerized process helps make the molds at an even more efficient rate.
Plant 3 also produces vast amounts of industrial castings and ductile iron with a daily capacity of 250 tons. This building was opened in 1967, adjacent to Plant 2 at the Brooks Ave location. Modern emission control equipment was installed during 1972, and the plant was completely redone in 1987 with advanced and contemporary equipment. Another modern addition to Plant 3 occured in 2002 when Laser Pour unit was installed to increase production.
The Corp Office Building, designed in the 1970s, was inspired by the old-fashion, Southern styled buildings. It is located at 2121 Brooks Ave near Plants 2 & 3. The building welcomes guests, potential employees, and staff to develop a better understanding of the history and processes of the Neenah Foundry. This office building sets NF apart from other foundries since many do not have an inviting building open to visitors.
Sources
Keating, James. A Tale of Two Foundries. Fox Valley Media Group Publishing Division, 2010.
Neenah Foundry Archives
Neenah Foundry Archives