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Charles Weiler
Founder of Union Machine
A Distinguished History
For fifty years Union Machine has maintained its identity as a flexible,
responsive family business adhearing to the vision and philosophy
of its founders: to provide personalized service, innovative
solutions and reliable quality and delivery.
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1953
The dream of Union Machine was iniated by Charles
Weiler and Waclaw Malhowsk, both of whom worked at General Electric
- Malhowshi as a shop foreman and Weiler as a draftsman and inventor.
Even as a fledgling "cellar shop" the hard working founders
were dedicated to precision and quality…and their customers took
notice.
1954
Charlie and Waclaw sense opportunity in the emerging aerospace industry
and purchase Union Research Laboratory in Lynn, Massachusetts. By using
their inginutity to design, build and modify machinery to meet specialized
electronics industry demands the company rapidly secures a foothold in the burgeoning areospace segment.
1955
Wes Harper, Charlie's son-in-law (and also a GE "alum") joins
the company as a part time jig and fixture maker. Wes' passion for quality
and education is reflected on his emphasis on training and team approach
to production improvements.
1964
Founder Charlie Weiler passes away. Wes assumes leadership and acquires
Waclaw's interest. The company continues to flourish as Wes works to
solidify its position in areospace. The company is renamed Union Machine
Co. While Wes runs operations and sales, Louise, Wes' wife, manages
the office side of the business.
1965
Solifying Union's family orientation, Wes brings his oldest son Eric
on board. For five years Eric learns to master the business at night
and persues an education days… interupted by a stint with the military during Vietnam.
1970
Eric takes the reigns as Wes's health fails, building on the legacy
of innovation, quality and consutlative management established by his
father and grandfather.
1976
To meet demand, Union moves to larger facilities and acquires it's first
numerical control machining capabilities, CAD/CAM engineering and computerized
financial systems. The company also re-asserts its agressive innovation
by stepping up automated quality and manufacturing systems and integrating
computerized statistical process controls…years ahead of
competitors.
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1985
To accomodate steady growth, facilities expand again and plans are made
for a custom designed building.
1987
Union moves to a ultra-modern facility in Peabody. Production control
becomes 100% automated and manufacturing is significantly enhanced by
a major investment in staff and state-of-the-art equipment
1994
Union relocates again. This time to a highly efficient custom designed
shop located in Groveland. Multiple shifts maximize utilization of the
latest CNC equipment. Tools, experience and training pay off as technicians
process multiple operations simultaneously.
1997
The company is certified as a ISO 9001 supplier. Major computer system
upgrades are implimented to increase efficiency and assure Y2K compliance.
Additional multiple operation turning centers are installed adding significantly
to capability and capacity.
2001
Ground is broken on a major expansion to Groveland.
2002
Union expands into its new space and adds nearly a dozen machines acheiving
new levels in quality, size and throughput. The company also awarded
AS9100 certification.
2004
Union named "Family Owned Small Business of the Year" by the US Small Business Administration. Award
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