Franklin Precision Castings’ employees with the 40-year anniversary plaque from Manufacturer's Business Alliance of PennsylvaniaUS-based
Franklin Precision Castings (FPC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in business. Established in 1985, the company has evolved from a niche supplier of glass mould components into a trusted manufacturer serving the pumps and valves, steel, oil and gas, food processing, and defence sectors.
The company’s origins trace back to the Franklin Bronze and Alloy Company, which holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating casting foundry in Pennsylvania. In 1978, John and Bob Barber acquired the business, which at the time specialised in nickel sand castings. Following a devastating fire in 1981 that destroyed the original plant, the Barbers rebuilt the facility with support from state and local redevelopment agencies, re-equipping the foundry and re-hiring its skilled workforce.
By 1985, the company had made a pivotal shift into investment casting. This transition was sparked when a mould shop manager approached FPC seeking a supplier capable of delivering glass mould parts in under four weeks. Bob Barber, leveraging his metallurgical expertise, responded by producing nickel guide rings, plungers, and baffles. The company’s proximity to glass mould shops across Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, combined with its ability to deliver quality castings quickly, helped establish its reputation as a reliable and responsive supplier.
Bob Barber, founder and former owner of Franklin Bronze, said: “We proved ourselves in the glass industry by delivering quality castings fast. But I saw the risk of being too reliant on one market, so we began to expand into new sectors.”
Continually reinvestedUnder Mr Barber’s leadership, FPC continually re-invested in its operations, adding ‘state of the art’ equipment, robotics, and in-house tooling. In 2005, the company undertook a $7 million expansion supported by Pennsylvania state and local grants. This included the construction of a new building and the installation of the first Shell-O-Matic robotic shelling system in the USA, later followed by a second upgraded system to further enhance capacity and efficiency.
As demand increased, FPC diversified beyond the glass industry, entering the automotive, mining, and safety equipment markets. The company added a second stainless-steel pouring centre and refined its gating systems to produce more complex, high-performance castings.
In 2014, Franklin was acquired by
Wall Colmonoy Corporation, a strategic move that united two companies with shared expertise in advanced metallurgical solutions and specialty alloys. The rebranding to Franklin Precision Castings in 2024 reflected the company’s expanded capabilities and global market reach.
Bill Clark, chairman and CEO of Wall Colmonoy, said: “Franklin’s glass container customers had long been supported by Wall Colmonoy through the supply of nickel powder alloys for molds. We acquired Franklin to form a strategic partnership — uniting two companies committed to delivering advanced metallurgical solutions and high-performance specialty alloys. Franklin also complements our casting capabilities in the UK, and the acquisition continues to be successful.”
Jeff Morgan, tool design technician and 40-year veteran of FPC, added: “We have grown from pouring our first investment castings to producing critical parts for industries we never imagined back then. What has not changed is the pride we take in what we do.”
Today, Franklin Precision Castings continues to invest in automation and process improvements, delivering complex castings with speed and precision to meet the evolving demands of global industry.