History Of Marshall Manufacturing Company

Marshall Manufacturing has a track record of constant growth and expansion. Lawrence Gagner began the company in the early 1950's working by himself in rented space in northeast Minneapolis on Marshall Avenue, which gave the company its original name of Marshall Screw Products. In 1956, the company moved to 4000 square feet of rented space at the Griggs Midway Building in St. Paul. At first, the company specialized in short run, high precision turning work. In 1958, it expanded into general machining work. In the mid-1960's Marshall bought out two smaller companies and began making the "Zuber" meat-processing equipment and an air powered "Jig Vise."

By the late 1960's expansion had taken place to the point where machines were "in the aisles". In 1968, the company bought land and started construction of a building on 3820 Chandler Drive in St. Anthony. Early 1970 saw Marshall moving into the new building and at the same time the company changed its name to Marshall Manufacturing Company. In February 1979, Marshall made an ownership change to prepare itself for the 1980's and the decades beyond. John Timmersman and Roger Tousley purchased the company. John bought out Roger's interest to become sole owner in 1989. New ownership brought the introduction of CNC turning and machining centers and several other increased capabilities: a broader customer base (moving away from the computer industry), a network type computer system and a quality system to MIL-I-45208A. In 1994, Marshall participated in 3M's O2 Project, which resulted in the remodeling of the shop for cellular manufacturing and the creation of a tool crib. This also started the reorganization of management into streamlined, productive, efficient, problem solving self-managed teams. The immediate results of the reorganization created a Safety Program, documented procedures and obtaining ISO-9002 certification in 1996.

In 1997 Marshall remodeled, creating an employee lunchroom, training center, inspection area, shop office and new rest rooms. In the spring of 1998, the offices and lower area were remodeled creating locations for storage and a conference room. During 1999, Marshall remodeled the balance of 3818 Chandler Drive into a Training Center and area for its new Apprenticeship Training Program. Over the last four years, Marshall Manufacturing has focused on productivity improvements by replacing manual machines, single spindle screw machines and older CNC machines with new CNC turning centers, CNC machining centers and CNC Swiss-type turning centers. Marshall Manufacturing changed its quality management system to a process-based system and recently was re-audited and recommended for certification to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard by TUV America.

Fivestar Die Casting was formed in May 2001, which then acquired the assets of Hartzel Manufacturing Company's St. Paul Minnesota plant. Hartzel had a long history in the die casting business and brought Fivestar new opportunity with the addition of key employees, modern equipment and a good customer base. Several key Hartzel employees joined the Fivestar management team, bringing many years of experience in all aspects of the die casting business to the new venture. Fivestar Die Casting, along with Marshall Manufacturing, provides a full range of services from part design through to die casting, precision machining, finishing and assembly. Materials include zinc and aluminum in a wide range alloys and sizes from miniature to very large.

The joint capabilities bring many advantages to customers looking for a complete product design and manufacturing supplier with a mission of improving products while reducing costs. Together, we provide the same high quality and service that has been a trademark of Marshall Manufacturing Company for over five decades.