Heckethorn Manufacturing, leading design and manufacturer of metal parts for the automotive and other industries, is celebrating 60 years of making metal matter in Dyersburg, Tennessee. During this time, Heckethorn has supplied more than 60 million pieces annually and manufactured more than 2,000 unique products specializing in tube forming, solid rod forming, robotic and mig welding as well as progressive stamping for the automotive and heavy truck industry.
William Heckethorn founded the company in 1938 in Littleton, Colorado, where “Heco” manufactured pulleys and hardware. In 1941, he converted the company to war work for the Navy manufacturing photographic products and hardware specialties. In 1956, the Littleton plant experienced high distribution costs and severe labor problems. Heckethorn and president D.E. Buchanan agreed to expand the manufacture of shock absorbers to a new plant in Dyersburg. Soon after, Heckethorn closed the Littleton plant and fully moved the company to Dyersburg.
With clients like Sears, Roebuck and Co., Ford Motor Co. and the U.S. Army, Heckethorn amassed quite the product list. In the 1970s and 1980s, Heckethorn produced as many as 100,000 automotive clamps per day, as they were the core of the automotive market. During this time, Heckethorn also held government contracts, producing as many as 132,000 grenade bodies per day.
In both 1973 and 1974, Heckethorn received the “Symbol of Excellence” award from Sears, Roebuck and Co. for quality of product and excellence of supply services. They were judged as most outstanding among 20,000 major merchandising sources. This honor was based primarily on the excellence of the company’s products along with its commitment to shipping orders on schedule and developing innovative new products. Heckethorn had manufactured ventilated auto seat cushions for Sears, Roebuck and Co. since 1959.
Heckethorn attributes its many years of success to the company’s innovative engineering efforts, the team of expert engineers, and efficient quality and production output. However, the team believes that most of its success came from always keeping the customer as its top priority. “We have always had the customer’s best interest at heart because they are our bread and butter,” said Clint Weaver, training and development manager of Heckethorn Manufacturing.
Heckethorn’s commitment to its customers through research, development and timeliness helped the company stay on top of the market despite many economic and environmental challenges. In 2004, a tornado ripped through the town almost destroying Heckethorn’s main office. Despite wind and water damage, Heckethorn did not miss a single shipment. This drive and determination proved the team’s willingness to do the work necessary to meet market needs even in the toughest circumstances.
When the stock market crashed in 2008 and the recession had many companies going out of business, Heckethorn prevailed. The company remained steadfast in its military affiliation and commitment to innovative methods, continued to produce excellent products and held 21 patents during this time.
Heckethorn plans to continue to expand into the wire products industry as well as computer numerical control machining. With the company’s 2011 acquisition of Erisco Industries, a company offering complete steel wire drawing and fabricating, Heckethorn has been able to add wire products to its diverse range of products. Erisco brings synergy of processes and diversification to the company providing more options for Heckethorn’s non-automotive customers.
