In 1902, Peter Gartland started a foundry in the middle of farm area in Terre Haute. Now, the 123-year-old machinable castings business, Gartland Foundry, is surrounded by restaurants, gas stations, neighborhood homes, and automotive parts stores. Gartland makes parts for agricultural machinery, construction and heavy trucks, motor parts, and industrial machinery.

Peter's son-in-law Bill Grimes took over the company from Peter's wife Delight after Peter passed away. Bill, Sr. ran it from the 1950-1980's until his sons Dave and Bill, Jr. took it over. Today, when CEO visited, Dave shared that the three-generation family business has come into the 21st century focusing on three things: innovation, continuous improvement, and the needs of the customer.

However, it's truly rare to have a multi-generation business. Once the Grimes family realized that the business wasn't going to be taken over by a fourth generation, it began a succession plan. Brandon Henman, former Vice President of Commercial Loans at The Hometown Savings Bank, had been serving on the Board of Gartland Foundry. Just a couple of years ago, he began at Gartland and has transitioned to the leadership position as President.

Brandon said back in college he would have never envisioned himself at a foundry. "I didn't even know what a foundry was then," he said. But, as he shared with CEO, he has brought his experience and abilities to the Board and as president.

Gartland Foundry will continue the family's goal of building an environmentally conscientious, sustainable, financially sound business that focuses on meeting their customers' needs, solving their problems, and retaining a strong workforce.
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