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FASTENER HISTORY
McIlhon’s Iowa Industrial Products Founded in 1960

Editor’s Note: The following history and description was provided by Ed McIlhon in 2009.

Iowa Industrial Products (IIP) was founded in 1960 by Dan McIlhon. His brother, Pat McIlhon, joined him as a partner in 1966. Pat preferred tools to the nuts and bolts Dan sold and opened his own operation, Tools Inc., in 1976. Dan bought his brother’s shares and returned to sole owner of his company.

Dan had 12 children, six of whom were instrumental in IIP over the next four decades: Ed McIlhon joined the sales team in 1968 while finishing college and worked his way up to president by 1990; John McIlhon served as purchasing manager; Margaret McIlhon Richards and Matt McIlhon handled inside sales; Tom McIlhon was vice president of operations; and Joe McIlhon was vice president of sales & marketing.

IIP saw significant growth in revenue which ultimately led to its sale. Sales were $3.5 million in 1986 and $53.5 million by 1999. The majority of the increase was attributed to its core customer, John Deere.

The customer relationship and heightened sales attracted a buyer and Switzerland-based Bossard bought IIP in October of 1999.
That same month, IIP founder Dan, passed away.

Ed agreed to a five-year contract with Bossard to continue as president of what became Bossard IIP. He finished his contract and stayed on as a consultant for another year.
Joe was then promoted to president and served in that role until he left the company in 2007. Joe was the last McIlhon to leave Bossard in a leadership role.

In 2005, Ed purchased Bossard’s kit and bundle unit that had originated at IIP. He followed in his father’s footsteps and staffed it with family. Two of Ed’s four children and two of his children’s spouses work for what is now Assembled Products Inc (API).

Joe also stayed in the nuts and bolts arena and is currently heading up Porteous Fastener Company’s Chicago operation.

During the families 40-plus years in the industry, all have remained active in the National Fastener Distributor Association (NFDA). Dan, Ed, and Joe all served as NFDA presidents. Matt Ulrich, Ed’s son-in-law, was elected to a three-year term on the NFDA Board in 2009.

Both Ed and Joe worked with the industry and the government on the Fastener Quality Act. Ed co-chaired the Public Law Task Force with Jim Schiele, chairman of the Industrial Fasteners Institute.

IIP and the nut and bolt business have served the McIlhon family very well. They are all extremely grateful that Dan McIlhon took that leap of faith in 1960. His legacy lives on in both the family and industry today. ©2009 GlobalFastenerNews.com