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Copyright 2004
Modern Group, Inc.
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Modern Forge Companies began as Modern Die & Tool Company in 1914 as a part-time business for Melvin and Sadie Farmer.
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By 1916, the business was prospering and the Farmers purchased a forging hammer that was housed in a shed. A die shop building and a small office were also added at this time. In 1919, after acquiring additional lots of land, the first large hammer shop was erected and more hammers installed. The company name was changed to the Modern Die and Drop Forge Company. |
The business was growing so fast that in 1923, it was necessary to enlarge the entire plant. The company continued to grow until the Great Depression hit the country. Modern survived during that time by producing packing rings for locomotive axles and horseshoes for police mounts and other city horses. Most of the men were laid off but were called back whenever an order came in. By 1936, both the country and the business were back on their feet. A new six-hammer shop was built and the name of the business was shortened to Modern Drop Forge Company.
During the years from 1940 to 1960, the company's emphasis became more specialized in engineering and tolerance enhancement. During this same period of time, the second generation of family took over as an active member in management of the company.
In the spring of 1978, a new plant began operating in Piney Flats, Tennessee, under the name of Modern Forge Tennessee. An additional plant by the name of Mid-States Production Machining operates in Rockford, Illinois.
In 2002, Modern diversified its operation through the addition of a horizontal machine center at the Mid-States facility and the purchase of a contract machine facility, now known as Heim Manufacturing Corporation. These strategic moves enable Modern to provide expanded value added services to its customers.
Today, Modern employs over 500 people, operates over 30 production forge units, and multiple machine centers for finished products and assemblies. The business is now run by the family's third generation through Rick and Greg Heim. Under this leadership, Modern continues to expand and modernize while striving for excellence, using the latest in equipment from metalworking machines to computers.
