Borroughs
Encyclopedia
The Borroughs Corporation is a leading U.S.
shelving and office fixture manufacturer based in Kalamazoo
, Michigan
. Borroughs was established in 1938 under the name Probar Company. In 1939, the founder, Walter L. Borroughs, changed the name to Borroughs Manufacturing Company.
The company began as a contract fabricator, producing saw cabinets. It soon branched out and began producing fluorescent strip lighting fixtures as well as continuing contract work for automotive accessory firms.
During World War II
, it was a subcontractor for various military components such as water baffles for amphibious landing craft, land tank components, gun turret components, and air scoops for aircraft.
After the war, it became a leading manufacturer of automotive bins. Following Mr. Borroughs' death in 1948, the company was purchased by American Metal Products Company in 1950. In 1950s, the company began an Office Furniture line of products and several types of industrial shelving and storage units.
In 1966, Borroughs' parent company, American Metal Products, merged with Lear Siegler
, Inc. Borroughs was a separate division within the new corporation.
In 1987, Forstmann Little purchased Lear Siegler and in 1991, Borroughs management and local owners in Kalamazoo purchased Borroughs from Forstmann Little.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
shelving and office fixture manufacturer based in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Borroughs was established in 1938 under the name Probar Company. In 1939, the founder, Walter L. Borroughs, changed the name to Borroughs Manufacturing Company.
The company began as a contract fabricator, producing saw cabinets. It soon branched out and began producing fluorescent strip lighting fixtures as well as continuing contract work for automotive accessory firms.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was a subcontractor for various military components such as water baffles for amphibious landing craft, land tank components, gun turret components, and air scoops for aircraft.
After the war, it became a leading manufacturer of automotive bins. Following Mr. Borroughs' death in 1948, the company was purchased by American Metal Products Company in 1950. In 1950s, the company began an Office Furniture line of products and several types of industrial shelving and storage units.
In 1966, Borroughs' parent company, American Metal Products, merged with Lear Siegler
Lear Siegler
Lear Siegler Incorporated was created as a result of a merger between the Siegler Corporation and Lear Avionics Inc. that was concluded in 1961. John G. Brooks was the founder; President and Chairman of Siegler and William Lear was the founder; President and Chairman at Lear...
, Inc. Borroughs was a separate division within the new corporation.
In 1987, Forstmann Little purchased Lear Siegler and in 1991, Borroughs management and local owners in Kalamazoo purchased Borroughs from Forstmann Little.