Barber–Colman Company facts for kids
The Barber–Colman Company was a big company that made machines for making fabric (textile machinery) and for cutting metal (milling machinery). It started in 1894 and kept making machines until the 1980s. Howard Colman began the company in Rockford, Illinois, with money from W. A. Barber.
The company became famous early on for its inventions like the Hand Knotter and the Warp Tying Machine. These machines helped the company grow and open factories in many places. They had locations in five states and three different countries. In the 1950s, the company moved to Loves Park, Illinois. After Walter Colman, Howard's son, passed away in 1983, the company faced challenges. Today, a company called Eurotherm Controls, Inc. owns the rights to the Barber–Colman name.
Quick facts for kids |
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Barber–Colman Company Historic District
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Section 5 of the complex
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| Location | 100 Loomis, 1202-1322 (even) Rock St., Rockford, Illinois |
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| Area | 12.8 acres (5.2 ha) |
| Architectural style | Industrial Loft |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000674 |
| Added to NRHP | August 8, 2006 |
Contents
The Story of Barber–Colman
Howard Colman came to Rockford, Illinois from Wisconsin. He wanted to open a shop to build his new textile machine. He teamed up with an investor from Wisconsin named W. A. Barber. Together, they started Barber & Colman in an office above another machine shop.
Early Inventions and Growth
In 1900, Howard Colman invented the Hand Knotter. This small tool could tie knots in string very quickly and easily. It was so popular that Barber & Colman were able to open their own factory in 1902. Soon, they had offices in Boston, Massachusetts and even in the United Kingdom.
Another big success was Colman's Warp Tying Machine, which came out in 1904. This machine made it much easier to put threads through the loops (called heddles) on a weaving loom. It helped companies use 86% fewer workers for this task! Because of these successful inventions, the company officially became the Barber–Colman Company in 1904.
Expanding the Business
By 1907, the company had built five new buildings at its main location. The next year, Barber–Colman started making different products. They began to produce Milling Cutters, which are tools used by large factories to cut metal.
In 1910, they released their Gear Hobbing Machine in two sizes. This machine could cut teeth into gears very precisely. Later, in 1919, the company bought the rights to the Warp Drawing Machine. This machine made it simpler to change weaving patterns.
In 1921, Barber–Colman introduced even more new machines. These included a High Speed Warper & Creel and Automatic Spoolers. By 1931, the company had factories and offices in many cities. These included Framingham, Massachusetts; Greenville, South Carolina; Munich, Germany; Chicago; Cincinnati, Ohio; Rochester, New York; and Manchester, England.
Changes and New Locations
Howard Colman, the founder, sadly passed away in a car accident in 1942. Harry Severson, one of the first directors of the company, took over as the new leader.
In 1953, a new factory called the "Park Plant" was built. It was a large, one-story building, about 125,000 square feet, located in nearby Loves Park, Illinois. The company also bought another machine company, Hendey Machine Company, in 1954. By 1965, three more parts had been added to the Loves Park factory. In 1968, an even bigger building, about 200,000 square feet, was built north of the original plant.
By 1975, Barber–Colman was a huge company. It employed 4,000 workers across 150 different locations!
The Company's Later Years
The Barber–Colman Company remained a family-owned business until Walter Colman, Howard's son, passed away in 1983. After his death, the company was sold off in pieces to different businesses.
One company, Reed–Chatwood, bought the textile machine part of the business. They continued to make machines at the original factory until 2001. Another part, the machine tool division, was sold to Bourn & Koch, a company also from Rockford. Bourn & Koch still provides parts and support for these machines today.
After these sales, Barber–Colman focused on making cutting tools and control systems. Eventually, the remaining parts of the company were also sold. Today, the Barber–Colman brand name is owned by Eurotherm Controls, Inc.
The original historic factory complex has been empty since Reed–Chatwood moved out in 2001. The City of Rockford bought the property in 2002. On August 8, 2006, the complex was officially recognized as a historic place by the National Park Service. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
