Provo Foundry & Machine Company
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Provo Foundry & Machine Company
Incorporated in December 1884, the Provo Foundry & Machine Company was established by Cluff, Booth & Co. to manufacture iron and brass castings, repair machinery, and produce items ranging from parlor stoves and cookware to structural components. Operating out of the old Cluff entertainment hall on today's 200 North and 200 East, the facility used local Utah Valley iron and steadily upgraded its machinery, expanding into specialized industrial services like processing fire-proof iron oxide paint and crafting large structural columns for local institutions. Despite its production capabilities, the business repeatedly faced severe financial and legal tribulations during its early decades, leading to multiple temporary closures, a shutdown during the 1893 financial panic, and numerous lawsuits from banks and creditors over unpaid stockholder capital and chattel mortgages.
A turning point occurred when Thomas Pierpont leased the facility, eventually becoming the sole owner. Under the Pierpont family's leadership, the enterprise navigated its insolvency hurdles and underwent a significant relocation and expansion. By the late 1890s, the company moved away from its original site to lease and later purchase the former Sun Foundry plant. By 1907, the company had established a massive 19,000-square-foot industrial complex at Center and Fifth West Streets, equipped with steam and water power to manufacture mining machinery, plumbing, and architectural steel.
(The Provo foundry was first located on the northeast corner at the intersection of 9th and L streets in Provo. Shown on 1890 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, Sheet 6. Today's 200 North and 200 East.)
(The foundry's second location was on the northwest corner at the intersection of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo, the site of the former Sun Foundry. Today's 500 West Center Street.)
(The foundry's third location was 502 East 900 South, between the Union Pacific and Utah Railway yards.)
Summarized from the Provo Sunday Herald, March 17, 1946, in an article written by Thomas F. Pierpont himself.
In 1889, Thomas F. Pierpont's father, also Thomas F. Pierpont and another of the elder Pierpont's sons leased the Provo Foundry and operated it from 1889 to the fall of 1892, when they closed the foundry and moved back to Salt Lake City due to there being a depression and no business.
On March 8, 1895, Thomas F. Pierpont, the younger, and Harry Heaton leased the Provo Foundry and Machine company at Second North and Second East in Provo. They operated it for two years, then purchased the equipment and moved it to the site of the former Sun Foundry, leased the plant from Amos Holdaway. In 1899, Pierpont and Heaton purchased the site from the Holdaway estate.
In 1900, Pierpont purchased Heaton's interest and became sole owner of the enterprise. He converted from water power to electric power at the same time.
In January 1945, due to the growth and business expansion during the war which made the company realize that it needed more space, they moved the foundry part of the business to a new site at Sixth East and Ninth South, purchasing a nine-acre plot from Provo City at the same time.
The move of the entire operation was hastened by the abandonment of the Salt Lake & Utah railroad because the foundry needed access to railroad service for the majority of their business. A spur track was added at the new site, which lay between the Union Pacific yard on the west and the Utah Railway yard on the east.
The Provo Foundry purchases all of its pig iron from Columbia Steel, and it sheet steel from U. S. Steel at Geneva.
October 28, 1948
From the Provo Daily Herald, October 28, 1948.
The old Provo Foundry buildings at Fifth West and Center are being razed to make room for a $175,000 modern business building, to be occupied by a leading department store. Architectural plans are now being drawn for the giant structure expected to cover a major part of the block between Center street and First North and Fifth and Sixth West streets. The building to be built by T. F. Pierpont, owner and president of Provo Foundry and Machine Co., will be leased to the retail company. Further announcement is dependent upon approval of plans.
Wartime demands on the pioneer foundry plant exceeded its capacities. As post-war industries began to operate, the need became great for bigger facilities and the foundry was moved to its present location at 400 E. 9th S
New buildings already contemplated on the new foundry site at Ninth South in addition to present buildings, include buildings for welding, plate enameling, pattern making and warehouse. Completion of one of these units within 30 days is imperative to completion of the $350,000 pipe contract for the Salt Lake aqueduct project.
The million dollar foundry plant had its beginning when Thomas F. Pierpont, a boy of twelve years, used to blow the whistle at the Salt Lake Iron and Steel works. He dreamed of having a foundry of his own and in 1889 came to Provo and went in business with his father, Thomas Pierpont, and his brothers John K. and James K. The first foundry was located at Second North and Second East. Thomas F. Pierpont bought out the interests of his father and brothers in 1895 and moved his plant to Fifth West and Center Street.
The Pierpont family lived at some of the most fabulous residences in Provo while the nine children were being raised and educated. Thomas F. Pierpont married Vilate Smoot and their children are Mrs. Naomi Petit, Mrs. Ruth Eccles, Mrs. Vilate DeVine, Thomas G. Pierpont foundry vice president, and Jack Pierpont, all living, and Clifford, Pauline, Clarence and Margaret, deceased.
The little foundry that was first operated by Mr. Pierpont and his father and brothers has grown into a plant employing 100 persons and furnishing a large payroll for this area.
The new modern industry this week is producing complete coal cars for use in mines in Carbon county, water pipe, machinery parts and drainage pipe for Provo airport.
March 26, 1950
From the Provo Sunday Herald, March 26, 1950.
Provo Foundry and Machine Co., a pioneer Provo industry which has kept pace with the tempo of a growing industrial city, has also been an important factor in the progress of the western states. From the Provo foundry has come pipe, steel plate, all types of structural steel, tanks and coal pit cars, all of which have gone into the building and development of resources of the west.
Increased volume of business for the foundry necessitated the building of the new plant which is located at 388 E. 9th S. and utilizes 70,000 square feet of floor space in structural and machine shops plus 17,000 square feet in the foundry proper.
The foundry moved to the new site from Fifth West and Center street where property has now been cleared of buildings and prepared for future building of commercial structures.
The buildings on the new foundry site are fully equipped with newest in foundry equipment. The company is equipped to fabricate heavy and light steel plate and all types of structural steel besides steel pipe, tanks, conveyors, pit cars and mining and milling machinery. The plant is equipped to make castings up to 25,000 lbs. in one piece.
The new plant was built in 1945 and is three times as large as the former plant. The new industry is a large consumer of Provo city power with all equipment operated by electric motors.
Thomas F. Pierpont, president of the company, is a veteran foundry man of Utah, coming to Provo as a partner of Harry Heaton in 1895. Mr. Pierpont was instrumental in bringing the steel industry to Provo when the Ironton plant came into existence in the 1920's. He and Mr. Heaton joined forces when Mr. Pierpont became a partner in 1895. The men operated their first foundry in a small plant at Second North and Second East. After three years of operation they purchased the equipment they had been using and leased the recent foundry site at Fifth West and Center street. In 1901 Mr. Pierpont bought out the interest of Mr. Heaton. Amos Holdaway owned the property until 1899 when it was purchased by Pierpont and Heaton.
The first building, built in 1901, was the machine shop. After Mr. Pierpont bought the foundry he continued to expand facilities and eventually purchased the entire block between Fifth and Sixth West and First and Second North.
In 1910 the Provo Foundry and Machine Co. was incorporated with stock being held by family members. The plant continued to operate on the old site until business expansion took the plant to the new site, which is large enough to accommodate anticipated future growth and activity of the foundry.
First Location (1884-1898)
December 1884
Provo Foundry & Machine company was incorporated in December 1884. The new company moved into the old Cluff entertainment hall. The proprietors, Cluff & Booth, added on a 60 by 40 molding room, and additional engine rooms and shops. The company completed it first casting in February 1885. In 1888, due to declining business the foundry was shut down. John Devey was the superintendent at the time. During spring 1889, Thomas Pierpont, who had been in the foundry business in Salt Lake City, leased the plant and reopened it. In 1890 the company constructed four large boilers for the Bullion Beck mine at Tintic. The plant was closed again in 1893 during the financial panic, but reopened in June 1895. Late in 1898, the Provo Foundry & Machine company left the old Cluff building and leased the former Sun Foundry plant, buying the old Sun plant in 1901 from the estate of Amos Holdaway. The Pierpont & Heaton partnership was dissolved in 1904 and Pierpont became sole owner at the same time. (Provo Daily Herald, April 8, 2007)
December 25, 1884
"A new enterprise has sprung up in the Provo Foundry and Machine Company. Cluff, Boot & Co. are the promoters of the scheme and Leo. S. Whitehead, superintendent. They purpose manufacturing all kinds of iron and brass castings, etc.; manufacturing and repairing all kinds of machinery, etc. The old Cluff building is being fitted up for these purposes and and active operations will begin about January 15th, or soon after the arrival of the necessary machinery. The pig iron made from the Utah Valley iron will be used." (Salt Lake Herald, December 25, 1884)
March 28, 1885
"The Provo Foundry and Machine Company this week received a shipment of machinery for their works. It consisted of a lathe and planer. When they get all the machinery in they intend getting, they will have one of the most complete foundries in Utah, and will be able to turn out work of any description in their line. The starting up of the works to-day was witnessed by a number of persons, as this is in reality the opening." (Salt Lake Evening Democrat, March 28, 1885)
May 8, 1885
First Advertisement (Manti Home Sentinel, May 8, 1885)
Provo Foundry
and
Machine Company,
H. H. Cluff,
Prest.
J. E. Booth,
Sec'y,
Manufacturers of Steam Engines, Pumps, Boilers, Feeders, Brass and Iron Castings, Castings for Store Fronts, Mill Work, Iron Work for Jails, Bridges and Buildings, Fencing and Sash Weights, Machinery for Lath, Saw, Grist, Mining and Molasses Mills put up to order and repaired.
Workshops: Corner L and 9th streets, formerly known as Cluff’s Hall. Old Iron bought.
P. O. Box 23, Provo.
A. S. Whitehead, Supt.
November 4, 1887
The Provo Foundry & Machine company was the manufacturer of iron oxide paint being sold by A. A. Noon's Utah Valley Iron Mining & Manufacturing company, which owned an iron mine in the Tintic District. The iron oxide ore was being mined and shipped in its raw form to the Provo Foundry where it is ground and washed, then dried and ground again, then placed in barrels for shipment. Noon was selling the "iron paint" for much less than the product being imported from the East. The iron ore paint was being promoted as being fire-proof. (Provo Territorial Enquirer, November 4, 1887; Salt Lake Herald, November 6, 1887)
November 8, 1887
Among the products being manufactured by the Provo Foundry were parlor stoves, flat irons, skillets, stove grates, stove lids, and fancy ornamental items. (Provo Territorial Enquirer, November 8, 1887)
April 7, 1889
"T. Pierpont & Sons have leased the Provo Foundry and Machine shops and are running the business." (Salt Lake Herald, April 7, 1889)
(Thomas F. Pierpont, 1836-1908, had four sons, including Thomas F. Pierpont, 1870-1954.)
(Thomas Pierpont, 1836-1908, was the master mechanic in charge of the Utah Central railroad shop in Salt Lake City as early as August 1873. In 1876 he organized the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine company, which moved to a new location in October 1878, opposite the Utah Central depot in Salt Lake City. In September 1884, Pierpont resigned as superintendent of the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine company. In October 1884 he became involved with the Mountain Chief mine at St. George by providing a loan of $12,000. The mine failed and the money was lost by default, causing Pierpont's own property in Salt Lake City to be to be sold at auction in October 1886. In January 1888 he was arrested and imprisoned as part of the Territory-wide anti-polygamy movement, and was released in August 1888.)
(In January 1893, Thomas Pierpont, Jr. married Dottie Smoot, daughter of A. O Smoot, thus providing the connection between the Pierponts and the Smoots of Provo.)
October 26, 1889
John Devey sued the Provo Foundry and Machine company for an unpaid $1,000.42, and the judgment was in his favor. (Salt Lake Herald, October 26, 1889)
(There was also a suit by A. O. Smoot against the foundry company at the same time.)
(Advertisements for the Provo Foundry & Machine company stopped in February 1890.)
(In March 1891, advertisements for the Sun Foundry by C. D. Moore, Superintendent, included a sub-lettered notation for Provo Foundry and Machine company.)
(C. D. Moore had purchased control of the Sun Foundry & Machine company, also in Provo, in January 1891.)
July 1, 1891
"Some of the machinery of the Provo Foundry and Machine Co., was attached to-day by Sheriff Fowler, at the suit of First National Bank a note of $400." (Provo Dispatch, July 1, 1891)
July 2, 1891
"C. D. Moore [of the Sun Foundry] has obtained the contract for furnishing connecting joints for the sewer pipes in Salt Lake City, and also castings for the waterworks. This will warrant the running of the Provo Foundry and Machine shops for about one year, apart from other business. This enterprise is to be highly commended, and evinces the practical business capabilities of Mr. Moore." (Salt Lake Herald, July 2, 1891)
(C. D. Moore's shares and interest in the Sun Foundry were sold at auction at a Marshal's sale in July 1892.)
August 5, 1891
"The Provo Foundry & Machine company has succeeded in casting two of the longest columns ever turned out in Provo. They are a trifle over twenty-three feet in length, and weigh over 1,500 pounds. They are to be used in the third story of the Academy. Preparations are being made for the casting of two more. A system of core-making, new to Provo, has been introduced. Formerly cores for columns were made with a sand — something like plastering sand, the cores have to be made in pieces; but with these long columns, loam-cores were used instead of common sand, and the result is that these cores can stand a greater pressure than the others, and with less danger of "blowing," as a moulder would say. The foundry has an order for six round columns and two square ones, for the Young Men's Co-op., at Spanish Fork." (Provo Dispatch, August 5, 1891)
October 7, 1891
There was a lawsuit Utah County Savings Bank vs. Provo Foundry and Machine Company. (Salt Lake Tribune, October 7, 1891)
November 17, 1891
"Papers have been filed with the clerk of the First District court in a suit brought by the Utah County Savings bank against the stockholders of the Provo Foundry & Machine Co. for the payment in full of their respective amounts of their subscribed stock, to satisfy the bill of the bank against the company for $1400. Other creditors of the company will probably become parties to the suit." (Deseret News, November 17, 1891)
(As with the Sun Foundry, the stockholders had not paid for their shares of stock, which was also non-assessible, providing the company with the needed working capital. Also like the Sun company, the company was depending on revenue for work completed to pay the bills in slack times. The stockholders wanted the benefits of stock ownership, but none of the costs.)
(When the case came before the judge in January 1893, the judge found in favor of the bank, and against the company and its stockholders, in the amount of $1,100. In September 1893, after several delays via the legal process, the judge ordered that the stockholders pay enough to satisfy the judgment.)
(Among the lawsuits, A. O. Smoot sued Thomas Pierpont in First District for unpaid rent on the Provo Foundry, and possession of its premises. In October 1893, the court found in favor of Smoot, in the amount of $1,550. - Provo Daily Enquirer, January 7, 1893; Salt Lake Herald, October 19, 1893)
November 10, 1893
"Amos Holdaway got judgment for the foreclosure of $1,195 chattel mortgage against the Provo Foundry & Machine Co., and $113 attorney's fees and costs." (Provo Daily Enquirer, November 10, 1893)
(A chattel mortgage is a specific type of loan used to purchase movable personal property, where the property itself serves as the collateral for the loan. The word "chattel" is an old legal term for tangible personal property — basically, anything you own that isn't permanently attached to land or a building, with the building itself being real property. The equipment inside a manufacturing company, in this case, machines inside a foundry, is a classic example of what a chattel mortgage is designed to cover. For a manufacturing company, this can include anything from heavy machinery to specialized tools.)
January 31, 1894
"D. D. Houtz, as attorney for Samuel Liddiard, today filed in the district court a suit against the old Provo Foundry and Machine company. H.H. Cluff, J. E. Booth, H. W. Davis, W. R. H. Paxman and A. O. Smoot, stockholders, for $1716,83 and costs. On October 26, 1893, Mr. Liddiard got judgment against the foundry which he cannot collect. He is now suing the stockholders." (Provo Evening Dispatch, January 31, 1894)
February 2, 1894
"First District Court. - Samuel Liddiard has filed suit against H. H. Cluff, J. E. Booth, H. W. Davis, W. R. H. Paxman and A. O. Smoot to compel them to pay the amount of their unpaid stock in the Provo Foundry & Machine Co. Liddiard obtained judgment against the company last October for $1,718.23, but as it was insolvent, he could not collect; hence his suit against the delinquent stockholders." (Deseret News, February 2, 1894)
(The Liddiard case against Provo Foundry & Machine company was dismissed in December 1897 "for want of prosecution." - Deseret News, December 23, 1897)
May 1, 1895
At a private sale by the Probate court of Utah County, the sale included "all tools and machinery at the Provo Foundry." The probate sale was for the estate of Abraham O. Smoot, who had died on March 6, 1895. (Provo Evening Dispatch, April 22, 1895, and daily after that)
June 4, 1895
The first advertisement for the Provo Foundry and Machine Works under Pierpont and Heaton ownership. (Provo Daily Enquirer, June 4, 1895)
(The Pierpont mentioned above would have been Thomas Pierpont, Jr., A. O. Smoot's son-in-law.)
June 5, 1895
"Pierpont & Heaton have opened the Provo foundry, closed about two years ago. [1893]" (Salt Lake Tribune, June 5, 1895)
Second Location (1898-1945)
(The foundry's second location was on the northwest corner at the intersection of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo, the site of the former Sun Foundry. Today's 500 West Center Street.)
Late 1898
Late in 1898, the Provo Foundry & Machine company left the old Cluff building and leased the former Sun Foundry plant, buying the old Sun plant in 1901 from the estate of Amos Holdaway. The Pierpont & Heaton partnership was dissolved in 1904 and Pierpont became sole owner at the same time. (Provo Daily Herald, April 8, 2007)
(Read more about the Sun Foundry and Machine Company)
(Amos Holdaway died at age 47 as the result of an accident on April 27, 1900 at the sandstone quarry he and partners owned in Spanish Fork canyon, seven miles from the nearest railway. His leg had been crushed by a large three-ton boulder. He lost excessive amounts of blood as a result of the long journey to the nearest doctor, and he passed away two days later, on April 29th.)
(Based on newspaper advertisements, the last at the old address was on November 30, 1897, and the first at the new address was on August 26, 1899. No mention in newspapers of the actual change of address.)
January 31, 1902
"Pierpont & Heaton [of Provo Foundry & Machine Co.] have bought the Sun Foundry property, which the firm has occupied under a lease for some years, from the estate of Amos D. Holdaway, deceased; consideration $1,900." (Deseret News, January 31, 1902)
February 5, 1902
"New Foundry. - Upon the site of the old Sun foundry, lately purchased by Messrs. Pierpont and Heaton, the well-known Provo foundry men, an up-to-date foundry will be at once erected. Architect Watkins has just completed plans for a two-story brick building, 34x80 feet, which will be equipped with the latest machinery for machine, blacksmith and pattern-making work. The enterprising firm will shortly advertise for bids for the construction of the building." (Salt Lake Tribune, February 5, 1902)
May 4, 1902
From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 4, 1902.
The Provo Foundry and Machine works is one of the representative industries of Provo and the proprietors, Messrs. T. F. Pierpont and H. Heaton are two of the city’s most enterprising citizens.
The partnership of Pierpont & Heaton was formed in ’95, when the old foundry site long occupied by the firm of Pierpont & Sons was purchased. From the beginning the new firm has been a success and many material improvements have been made until today the firm is about to enter one of the most modern and thoroughly equipped foundry and machine shops south of Salt Lake City. The new building is represented in the above cut, and is a two-story structure of brick and stone, 95 feet by 34. The ground floor will accommodate the machine and blacksmith shops and the entire upper story will be utilized by the pattern shop. Mr. Pierpont has all his life been associated with the foundry business, and is a practical figurer on all work in the foundry and machine line. His able partner, Mr. Heaton, was for years a first man in the Rio Grande Western machine shops, and has made a reputation as a machinist. Together Messrs. Pierpont & Heaton form a firm admirably constituted for their line of work. Their success proclaims as much. They furnished the machinery and pipe-line for the Utah County Light and Power company, and all the steel work for the B. Y. academy gymnasium, and have for years held the Eureka trade.
In addition to the fine new structure above shown the firm occupies a building, 30x200 feet, which is utilized by the foundry department of their business. Iron and brass castings being made a specialty. The plant is powered by water and steam and in every particular is to be considered first-class and up-to-date.
(Thomas F. Pierpont, 1870-1954, was the son of Thomas F. Pierpont, 1832-1908.)
Marc 11, 1904
"Pierpont & Heaton, who have been doing business as iron founders here for several years, have dissolved partnership. Mr. Pierpont will continue the business." (Salt Lake Herald, March 11, 1904)
September 28, 1907
From Truth magazine, September 28, 1907.
Provo Foundry & Machine Company was established some ten years ago [1897] by its present owner, Mr. Thos. F. Pierpont. Their office and shops are located at the corner of Center and Fifth West Streets, where they occupy a large new two-story brick and numerous other buildings, having a combined floor of 19,000 square feet.
This concern has special machinery equipped with steam and water power, and furnaces for the casting of brass and metal castings, iron and steel castings. They are manufacturers of architectural iron and steel castings of all kinds, and are equipped to do engine, machine work and plumbing, and make a specialty of the manufacture of mining machinery.
Mr. Pierpont's father was one of the original "Ironmasters" of Utah, and the son, brought up in the business has acquired a technical knowledge of foundry and machine work that allows of him competing successfully with all concerns of a similar nature throughout the West.
February 1, 1910
"Provo, Feb. 1. — The Provo Foundry & Machine company has filed articles of incorporation with the county clerk. The company takes over the foundry and machine business heretofore conducted by Thos. F. Pierpont in this city, which is valued at $45,000. The capital stock is $50,000, in shares of the par value of $100 each. The following are the directors and officers: Thomas F. Pierpont, president and treasurer; George M. Smoot, vice president; John U. Buchi, secretary; Alfred B. Worsley and Andrew Drysdale." (Deseret News, February 1, 1910)
July 3, 1925
Thomas F. Pierpont of Provo (president of Provo Foundry and Machine company) was among the organizers of the Structural Steel and Foundry company, to "take over the plant of Salt Lake Boiler and Sheet Metal Works at Seventh South and Fifth West streets, and has purchased in addition an adjoining tract of land." (Ogden Standard Examiner, July 3, 1925)
Third Location (1945-1955)
(The foundry's third location was 502 East 900 South, between the Union Pacific and Utah Railway yards.)
"The buildings on the new foundry site are fully equipped with newest in foundry equipment. The company is equipped to fabricate heavy and light steel plate and all types of structural steel besides steel pipe, tanks, conveyors, pit cars and mining and milling machinery. The plant is equipped to make castings up to 25,000 lbs. in one piece. The new plant was built in 1945 and is three times as large as the former plant. The new industry is a large consumer of Provo city power with all equipment operated by electric motors." (Provo Sunday Herald, March 26, 1950)
January 1945
In January 1945, due to the growth and business expansion during the war which made the Provo Foundry and Machine company realize that it needed more space, they moved the foundry part of the business to a new site at Sixth East and Ninth South, purchasing a nine-acre plot from Provo City at the same time. The move of the entire operation was hastened by the abandonment of the Salt Lake & Utah railroad because the foundry needed access to railroad service for the majority of their business. A spur track was added at the new site, which lay between the Union Pacific yard on the west and the Utah Railway yard on the east. (Provo Sunday Herald, March 17, 1946)
(Thomas Pierpont had purchased by quit claim deed, the proeprty from Mountain Fuel Supply on January 27, 1943. - Provo Daily Herald, January 27, 1943)
March 10, 1946
From the Provo Sunday Herald, March 10, 1946.
One of Provo's oldest and largest industries, the Provo Foundry and Machine company, will move its entire facilities to a site near Sixth East and Ninth South this summer.
The move began in January, when the company purchased the building in that area formerly owned by the Mountain Fuel Supply company, and remodeled it into a foundry. Within 30 days construction is expected to begin on the first of four more buildings, involving expenditures of approximately $200,000.
The move from its present Fifth West and Center site is hastened by the closing of the Orem railroad. A spur track connecting with other railroad facilities is now being laid at the new site.
Contemplated at the new site is a steel storage building 45 by 400 feet, a fabrication shop 75 by 200 feet, a new machine shop 40 by 100 feet and an office and warehouse building the details of which are still to be worked out. The building now being used for a foundry is about 225 by 60 feet.
August 16, 1954
"Suit Filed By Bank. - Farmers and Merchants Bank has filed suit in Fourth District Court against Provo Foundry and Machine Company and Thomas F. Pierpont, seeking to recover $28,000, plus 10 per cent interest, plus $2,500 in attorney fees, on grounds that $28,000 is over due on three notes." (Provo Daily Herald, August 16, 1954)
September 14, 1954
Thomas F. Pierpont died at age 83. He was born on September 16, 1870 in Salt Lake City, and came to Provo in 1889, at age 19, to help establish the Provo Foundry and Machine Company. He was the son of Thomas F. Pierpont, who operated the Provo Foundry as Pierpont & Sons. (Provo Daily Herald, September 15, 1954)
April 30, 1955
"Provo Foundry and Machine Co., one of the oldest and largest steel fabricating operations in Utah, is negotiating for sale of its properties at Provo. Since the death of Thomas F. Pierpont, president, the firm has been administered by Tracy-Collins Trust Co., Salt Lake City. The company recently obtained option on 20 acres of Provo city ground adjacent to the foundry and now is actively negotiating with several firms connected with steel and steel fabricating for sale." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 30, 1955)
May 16, 1955
From the Provo Daily Herald, May 16, 1955.
The structural plant of the Provo Foundry and Machine Company, pioneer Provo industry, was sold today to the Pipe Line Service Corporation of New Jersey which immediately announced plans for expansion of the facilities and operation.
Deeds to be filed this afternoon at the Utah County Recorder's office covered the structural plant and some nine acres of ground at the foundry location, 388 E. 9th So., plus 20 acres of adjoining land purchased by Pipe Line Service Corporation from Provo City.
It was understood the amount of money involved in the over-all transaction including land, equipment, etc., approximated $300,000.
The structural plant sale represented only a portion of the Thomas F. Pierpont Estate property. The foundry division to the east, which reportedly constitutes about a third of the present over-all operation of the Provo Foundry and Machine Company, was retained by the Pierpont interests.
A spokesman for the real estate division of the Tracy-Collins Trust Company of Salt Lake City, which handled the sale, said the Pipe Line Service Corporation has six plants in the United States, the biggest one being located at Franklin Park, Ill.
Two representatives of the company were in Provo this afternoon to participate personally
February 26, 1956
From the Provo Sunday Herald, February 26, 1956.
Pipeline Service Corporation, one of Utah Valley's newest industries, has invested a million dollars in establishing a Provo operation which it hopes will expand into thriving proportions.
Occupying the plant which formerly was the Provo Foundry and Machine Company, the new firm serves, primarily, the gas and oil industry and utilities by protecting steel pipe from underground corrosion. This is accomplished by applying coal tar and other materials to the pipe.
The investment in the 30-acre site and Provo Foundry plant, together with new equipment and the cost of conversion will approximate $1,000,000.
When the plant gets into full one-shift production (expected about next May) it will employ 50 men. At present the staff is considerably smaller than that.
But little of the Provo Foundry and Machine Company equipment could be used by the Pipeline Service Corporation. Aside from the overhead crane and a few other items, practically all of the foundry equipment has been sold or discarded.
A relatively rare type of industry, Pipeline Service Corporation has but very few competitors in the United States. It coated 52,000,000 feet of pipe in seven plants in 1955, close to the production of its two top competitors.
Mr. Duaei's father pioneered the pipe-protection industry, starting in 1931 with his first plant at Maywood, Ill. That plant was closed when he built another one at Franklin Park, Ill. Today, Pipeline Service Corporation has plants at Franklin Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Monmouth Junction, N.J.; Sparrow's Point, Md.; Corpus Christi, Tex.; Longview, Tex.; Harvey, La. and Provo.
The Provo plant is designed to serve, principally, the states of Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana. It can handle any size pipe from three-quarters of an inch to 30 inches, inclusive.
Pipe serviced by the company is shipped in by the client on a transit-privilege basis, being held up in Provo only long enough to have the coating applied.
The Provo plant can service about 750,000 feet of pipe in a working month, one shift operating.
To improve the plant facilities, a 50 by 60 foot addition has been completed, and a transfer table to move loaded rail cars between the company's switch tracks is being constructed.
Pipeline Service Corporation, incidentally, builds all its own equipment. The company is so rare that no manufacturers make the specific equipment it needs on its production line.
February 28, 1961
From the Provo Daily Herald, February 28, 1961
The Commercial Welding Company of Baker, Ore., has purchased the old Provo Foundry and Machine Company plant at Ninth South and Fourth East and will establish a steel fabricating operations with production slated in about 90 days.
This announcement was made jointly today by Albert L. Crowson, founder and president of the company which has operated in Baker for the past 25 years, and J. Edwin Stein, chairman of the Industrial Development Division of the Provo Chamber of Commerce.
Commercial Welding, which manufactures Powder River steel ranch equipment, will employ 20 men at the start and the payroll likely will expand to about 50 men later on, Mr. Crowson said.
Steel from Geneva Works, including plates, sheets and structurals, will comprise 75 to 80 per cent of the material used by the plant. Mr. Baker said proximity to Geneva was the No. 1 factor in location at Provo and disclosed that steel from Geneva is the cheapest "lowest base rate" to be found in the entire country in Provo with one exception and the difference in this one case is negligible.
The Baker, Ore. plant employs 35 men and is now using 2000 tons of steel per year, mostly from Geneva, reported Ronald E. Frost, secretary of Commercial Welding.
The Provo plant, to be larger than the one at Baker, will be the firm's "main plant," the officers stated.
The Baker operation serves 17 states in the West and Midwest plus Western Canada. The Provo plant will make possible expansion into 25 additional states.
Products made include cattle chutes, branding chutes, stockyards, gates, etc. Considerable heavy equipment must be ordered and installed in the Provo plant before production can begin.
The Commercial Welding Company has purchased the entire 30 acres and plant at Ninth South and Fourth East from Pipeline Service Corporation, which bought it from the old Provo Foundry and Machine Company. Pipeline Service Corporation operated a pipe insulating plant there for a number of years but closed down about two years ago.
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