It's black and white, read it through

Bob Huffman, Sr. held talks with Dennis Fraise, President of Li County Economic Development Group, at the 50th anniversary celebration of Huffman Welding & Machine on Thursday. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

Author: CHUCK VANDENBERG PCC Editor

Fort Madison-Bob Hoffman, the elder who founded the Hoffman Welding Company in 1971, does not have a computer. He hardly uses a cell phone.

He said in an ultimate fascinating and simple way: "I am too private. I don't want anyone to know me too much. I believe they know me better than I thought."

On Thursday afternoon, the 87-year-old was standing on the floor of Huffman Welding and Machine. About 100 people had lunch and talked with workers because the company celebrated half a century of business, which is an understatement this year.

People certainly know what he has done now.

The patriarchs of Mike, Hank and Bobby, Jr. helped start a company that is now a global player in metal manufacturing.

As Bob Jr. said, "It's not just welding your broken chair, we will still do it, but there is more happening behind these walls than people realize."

On Wednesday, millions of manufacturing machines were fully exhibited, purple and gold balloons were tied to the equipment, and guests were provided with stolen goods.

Old Bob wore a Hoffman baseball cap and polo shirt, while his sons wore suit jackets, simply saying that he started his business to take care of his family.

"I started doing this 50 years ago to support my family. That is my goal. It is not to become the largest machinery factory in the region like we are now, but to make a living. This is what we do."

Now that the company produces parts, equipment and metal fittings for customers around the world, Huffman can quickly recall some of the countries where his company has worked.

"We have worked in China, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico and Egypt," he said.

Bob Sr. is a certified welder and opened this shop to provide welding and manufacturing services. One of his first part-time staff was Pat Brotherton. On Thursday, Brotherton sat at the lunch table with a sandwich and talked with Tim Gobble, the executive director of Fort Madison Partners.

"Pat had a part-time staff with me earlier," Bob said, pointing to one of the 12 banquet tables he prepared for tourists.

About five years later, Bob said that he started selling supplies because he himself did not always find what he needed.

"We opened a distributor​​ because we cannot buy anything from anyone. We are doing all kinds of different things. Sometimes we have to drill 3,000 or 4,000 1/4 inch holes, and I can only find one Two drill bits," he said.

"So I also started stocking up this kind of industrial supplies for others."

Hoffman said he had never thought of having a facility on the scale he walked through Thursday afternoon to talk to people. When asked if he thought his sons had made the right decision along the way, his answer was simple, "They did a good job," he said.

Bob Huffman (Jr.) said that he was flattered by the turnout rate of many customers, city leaders, economic development officials and former employees over the years.

"This is a very good turnout. It's great to see so many people here approve of what we have done and customers who have worked with us in the past," Hoffman said.

The mayor of Fort Madison, Matt Mohrfeld, has owned his own business in the city for 45 years. He said that the city is fortunate to make the Hoffmans part of the community, and they The growth is something most people don’t fully realize.

"As you know, when you say 50 years, I have seen most of the time, and I have known my father for a long time," said Morefield.

"Looking around, they are hiring people who live on their wages and bringing projects into our community. This is the same as mine. When you can reach out and bring them back to the community, this is what you truly achieve financial success. place."

The day ended with an evening appetizer reception, accompanied by music and more common memories and prospects for the future.

Pen City Current e-Edition is published from Monday to Friday at 6 am, for everyone to read for free!

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts via email.