History of  Morton Manufacturing

1903
Founded as Acme Supply Company, Chicago, Illinois as a manufacturer of Pullman Car Company accessories

 

1917
First patent obtained for Kass Safety Tread, now known as Tread-Grip®. Designed by engineer Peter Kass.  Product adopted by the Ordnance Staff of the United States Government at the beginning of World War I as the most efficient product for use on Army trucks, tractors, tanks,anti-aircraft trailers and other military transportation equipment.

 

1920
Harry Ulysses Morton purchases controlling interest of Acme Supply and renames the company Morton Manufacturing Company.

 

1920

Charles Delos Morton joins the company.

 

1935
C. D. Morton purchases controlling interest from H. U. Morton.

1920 – 1939
34 patents issued to Morton Manufacturing Company for such products as: passenger car diaphragms; running boards; process for forming door panels; curtain rollers; sanitary toilet seats and vanity cabinets. 

 

1941
Morton Manufacturing Company expands production facilities to

Libertyville, Illinois. 

 

1942
Morton begins manufacturing ammunition boxes and perforated metal

landing mats for portable runways in support of the Pacific theatre of

World War II and again in the Korean War. 

 

Morton obtains a patent on Open-Grip® a self-cleaning and slip-resistant metal safety grating,

 

1943-1953
Morton patents several designs of porcelain enameled kitchen sinks and cabinets for Sears Roebuck & Company. These products replaced the military products that were produced during the war.

 

1955
Product emphasis evolved from kitchen consumer products to focus on

railroad and rapid transit passenger doors and metal safety grating for

industrial and railroad applications.

 

1959-1970
Beginning in 1959, Morton Manufacturing began producing transit car door assemblies with a patented bonding method. Over 71,000 door panels were produced for over 60 major projects.

 

1968
Robert Seeley Morton purchases controlling interest from C. D. Morton and consolidates operations in Libertyville, Illinois.

 

1974

Cut-to-length coil processing line purchased enabling mill direct purchases.

 

1974
John Broten Morton purchases controlling interest from R. S. Morton

 

1978

Company introduces first N. C. Open-Grip® process.

 

1991
William Charles Morton purchases controlling interest from J. B.

Morton.

Morton introduces Grip-Trac® diamond safety grating. 

 

1996
Begins production and trademarks Star-Deck®.

1998
Morton designs and patents process for manufacturing Open-Grip®.

 

2002
Morton acquires Deck Span®  from IKG Industries to broaden its

capacity of diamond safety grating. 

 

2003
Company  exits transit door and hanger market to focus on safety grating.

 

2006

West warehouse addition for finished goods, 15,000 square feet.

 

2007

East warehouse addition for finished goods, 15,000 square feet.

 

Installed 800 ton Clearing press for 8 and 10 diamond Deck Span.

 

2008

Morton acquires the assets of YSD, LLC on June 16, 2008 to supplement our business and continue our leadership role in the railroad industry.