National Tool & Machine Co., Inc., East St. Louis, Illinois, is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
The company produces a wide range of tools, jigs, fixtures, special machinery and offers general machine work and repair.
Founded in 1929, National Too & Machine has been owned by the same family and stayed in the same location throughout the 75 years.
Sylvester "Syl" Fontana Sr. started the company. In 1969, his son, "Syl" Jr., and brother, John L. Millick took over operations. In 1994, Millick retired and his son, John M. Millick joined Syl Jr. as a co-owner.
"We have always had a willingness to stay on the cutting of technology," stated Syl Fontana. "Combining the technology with lots of effort and an impeccable reputation and one can understand how we lasted 75 years."
An example of staying on the cutting edge of technology is the company's latest equipment acquisition, an OKUMA MX55VB 50 taper CNC vertical machining center with a full 4th axis.
Today, National Tool & Machine operates in a 7,000-sq.-ft. facility (expanded twice over the years) with 12 employees.
The company is divided into several departments including: a CNC department with five pieces of CNC equipment; a Quality Control department; a lathe department with three lathes; a grinding department with eight grinders; a milling department with eight mills; a drilling department with four drill presses; a sawing department with three saws and a welding/fabrication department with welders, presses and shears.
National Tool & Machine's equipment can handle milling jobs up to 20" x 25" x 48" and its lathes go up to 20" swing with four-foot centers.
The programming department utilizes Mastercam software.
The company focuses on small to medium sizedruns and works with virtually all metals and some plastics.
National Tool & Machine serves a wide range of industries within a 200-mile radius of the St. Louis area including: automotive; chemical; aircraft; railroad; medical equipment; appliances; hand tools and general industrial equipment.
"We serve the entire spectrum of manufacturing industries," noted John Millick. "Which is unusual in the marketplace today."
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