About Merrick Machine Company

Merrick Machine Company is a U.S. manufacturer based out of Alda Nebraska that produces custom automated housing machinery, The Auto Dolly, and The Auto Dolly accessory products, Merrick Originals. Merrick Machine Co was the founding business under the parent name of Triad, which now includes five other companies, all owned by the Merrick family. These companies are structured as Limited Partnerships and include Triad Fastener, Denver Plastics Nebraska, Denver Plastics Colorado, Merrick Machine Company, Fu-Tek Tool, and Triad Products. Each business is a stand-alone company doing business in separate facilities with independent offices, manufacturing, and warehousing.

Jim Merrick(1919-2000) founded the Merrick Machine Company with his invention of the Window Frame Machine in 1960, under the brand name of Triad. Jim Merrick's son Richard Merrick is the current head of Triad Companies, and his grandson Russell Merrick is the current head of Merrick Machine Company.

History

Merrick Machine Company was founded by Jim Merrick in 1960 out of his garage in Grand Island Nebraska. The Window Frame Machine was his first invention, designed to simplify the building and production of window frames. With this invention, Merrick Machine was created. Because of demand, Jim was eventually forced to move his company out of his garage and into a larger facility in the neighboring town of Alda which is the current company location. Jim went on to develop other automated housing equipment including Wall Panel Fabrication Machines, Fastening Equipment and Sub-Component Machines, all under the brand name of Triad.

In the early 1970's, Jim Merrick conceived the “diversified manufacturing business model” which attempts to conglomerate several types of manufacturing companies in order to diversify the industries served. This was done because each of those industries do better or worse at different times of the business cycle, creating in theory less earnings volatility, allowing greater chance for growth of the total business. Because Merrick Machine Company was so sensitive to fluctuations in the housing industry, Jim sought to expand into other businesses including automated machinery, automotive, plastics injection molding, tooling fabrication, signage and others.

In 1972, Merrick Machine began the diversification process into the plastic's business, creating several other operational business.

1. Triad Fastener LP (Injection molding company)
2. Fu-Tek Machine and Tooling (Custom molds/dyes)
3. Denver Plastics CO (Injection molding company)
4. Denver Plastics NE(Injection molding company)
5. Triad Products Company(Agricultural base)

Jim's son Richard Merrick took over operations of Merrick Machine in 1977, and his grandson Russell Merrick took over Merrick Machine Company in 1988.

Philosophy

Merrick Machine and Triad Companies have always perceived their primary purpose to be one of innovation. Jim Merrick took a special pride in knowing his efforts and inventions benefited the housing industry, making the American dream more affordable for thousands of U.S. families. "I guess everybody has a little ego, and it flatters mine that I have been able to help in a small way to advance an industry that provides homes people can afford and be proud of." Over time, even as Triad Companies expanded their industries, innovation remained the underlying focus. "Manufacturing Solutions for Over Half a Century" is the current motto posted on the website, and has played out in their varied product and industry focuses including custom housing machinery, custom plastic products, the new Auto Dolly line, and their most recent development, The Triad WindGen, a line of traditional looking wind turbines.