McElroy Manufacturing, Inc. Celebrates 50 Years With Vision Toward The Future

June 21, 2004
Drew L. Wilson

Tulsa , Ok – McElroy Manufacturing's 50 th anniversary marks a major milestone for a company that started with humble beginnings in a converted garage. Today, the company is the leading fintube and fusion equipment manufacturing company in the world. Art McElroy literally revolutionized these two industries through his pioneering spirit as an inventor and mechanical engineer.

By the end of the 1960's, McElroy dominated the market for fintube machines and was shipping fintube machinery throughout the world. It was at this time that Phillips Petroleum approached McElroy to design a machine to connect their new polyethylene pipe together with heat fusion. In 1969, McElroy designed its first polyethylene fusion machine and today the comprehensive line of equipment dominates the U.S. market share and is considered the most reliable in the world.

In 1983, McElroy added the Fluid Power division to the company. The initial strategy was to lower cost of their fluid power needs, but soon became a major venture to market hydraulic equipment nationally. Now McElroy Fluid Power is a leading supplier of mobile hydraulic components.

Art McElroy was an exceptional inventor, engineer and businessman who established strongholds in three separate industries before his death in 1988. During the same year Chip McElroy , his son, took over the direction of the company. Since that time McElroy has experienced its greatest period of economic growth and continues to be a leader in all three of the industries it serves.

“The values guiding this remarkable organization were cast by the vision, determination, and leadership of our Founders, Art and Panny McElroy,” said Chip McElroy , President and CEO. “As a result the McElroy Team has proven itself numerous times in its 50 year history.  Thanks to our Customers, McElroy has been able to establish itself as the market leader in the industries it serves.  Yet, while we celebrate this milestone, it is the future before us that matters the most.  How we will continue to strengthen our positions of leadership, and more importantly how we will address emerging opportunities will define our reputation going forward.  The McElroy Team is proven, passionate, committed, and truly energized about the opportunities that lie ahead.”