TOMLINSON CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF BUSINESS

Tomlinson Industries is joining an exclusive club in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. This year, the manufacturer–founded by A.E. Tomlinson in 1911 as Tomlinson Steam Specialty Co., representing a line of steam valves—is celebrating its 100^th anniversary. Among the planned celebrations is an invitation-only reception at next month’s NAFEM Show.

Founder Tomlinson branched out from steam valves when he purchased the patent for ground plug faucets from Gustave Mueller. He went on to found the Tomlinson No-Drip Faucet Co. to manufacture and sell the faucets around the United States. In 1922, his son, Ralph “Tommy” Tomlinson, joined the company and took over the head office.

In ’70s, the company began diversifying its product lines to include commercial foodservice equipment. Through numerous acquisitions, Tomlinson expanded from the coffee and beverage markets to the housewares, purified and bottled water and plumbing industries, and began  providing foodservice equipment and food-safety products for commercial and institutional kitchens and self-serve and c-store venues.

Tomlinson Industries was purchased by The Meyer Co. in 1974, and has since operated independently with three product divisions: the No-Drip Faucet, Modular Dispensing Systems and the Foodservice Products divisions.

Tomlinson’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Cleveland. It is headed by a management team including Michael E. Figas as president and Louis J. Castro, exec. v.p.