4/21/2014 10:03:00 AM
NEWS BRIEFS
Minneapolis Washer Marks 80th Anniversary
Minneapolis Washer & Stamping Inc. is marking its 80th anniversary in 2014. MWSI is now a third generation family-owned business.
Evald “E.C” Bank started selling insurance in Minneapolis, but began seeking other business opportunities. He found a small, seasonal, three-press stamping company for sale. Minneapolis Wrought Washer was located in Minneapolis and was a three-man company supplying the railroad industry out of a tin-roof shed. There were three line shaft driven presses.
E.C. and his wife were living in a wealthy lumber family’s Minneapolis basement in exchange for maintaining the boiler heat. He borrowed $3,000 from a family member and acquired the wrought washer company on a contract. He led the company for 35 years until he brought in his son, Kent Bank, to succeed him. Kent added manual and automatic presses and quality systems.
In 1977 Minneapolis Washer moved to a new 44,000-sq-ft. custom-built building on the Mississippi River, allowing expansion of production and services. Minneapolis Washer also installed a computerized quoting system.
As the standard washer business began moving overseas in the 1980s, Kent Bank shifted focus to built-to-print special washers and stampings.
At the company’s 50th anniversary, the name was changed to Minneapolis Washer & Stamping Inc. A continuous improvement program began in 1993 and in 2003 MWSI received ISO 9001:2000 certification.
Chris Bank became president/CEO upon his father’s retirement in 2010.
Minneapolis Washer & Stamping is located at 1501 West River Rd. North, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Tel: 612 588-0501 or 800 394-0554 Fax 612 588-0506 Web: minneapoliswasher.com
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