THE HISTORY OF HIGHLAND MACHINE
We've grown quite a bit from our humble beginnings, but some things haven't changed.
Claude Miles purchased the machine shop of Basler Electric and Manufacturing from Carl Basler and moved the operation to the corner of 6th and Cypress Streets.
CJ Zimmermann left Wicks Organ and Partners with Miles to form Highland Machine.
A new 6,000 sq ft plant was built on 4 acres of Geisler’s Hill. 16 employees moved into the new building that September.
Edwin M. Frisse joined the firm as a bookkeeper.
Claude Miles died and CJ Zimmermann became the sole owner.
Ed Frisse was named company vice president.
Zimco Metalfab formed and purchased fabrication equipment from Master Mfg in Lichfield. Zimco and Highland Machine operated out of the same building.
The company doubled its fabrication capability with sheet metal building expansion.
Highland Machine designed it’s first sealed hydraulic lift for the beauty industry.
Zimco assets sold to Highland Machine. Highland Machine expanded with 20,000 sq. ft Sheet Metal Fabrication building.
Highland Machine began to manufacture forced hot air hair dryers for beauty salons.
Edwin M. Frisse was named president of Highland Machine.
Highland Machine began offering pre-packaged hydraulic lift unit to ship directly to end user.
Terry Riffel was named president of Highland Machine.
The company expanded to 135,000 sq. ft with the addition of a 30,000 sq. ft powder coating facility.
Bill Sullivan was named president of Highland Machine.
Highland Machine expanded into large-scale assembly with genset trailer manufacturing.
The company introduced Selique – the all-digital hair dryer.
Highland Machine upgraded to a cyclone-style powder system.
Andy Sullivan was named president and CEO of Highland Machine.
← 2023
2024 →
Highland Machine celebrated 80 years of providing sheet metal fabrication, machining, finishing, and assembly services. The company also added a PMI precision cutoff saw, a SPRINT 28|8 lathe to produce more parts in house, and an advanced 4Kw Mazak Nexus Fiber laser to replace a traditional CO2 laser.
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700 5th St., Highland, IL 62249 • 618-654-2103 • info@highlandmachine.com
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