Robert E. Morris Celebrates 70

After receiving a classic Bridgeport Knee Mill from Hardinge as a token of respect, the machine tool distributor pays tribute to American Innovation at its open house.

One might say that the “official” fun began on May 4, when the employees of Hardinge Inc. (Elmira, NY) presented a Bridgeport Knee Mill to Lee Morris and the Morris Group, Inc., symbolizing a token of the respect and admiration for all that Morris Group companies have accomplished over the last 70 years.

Hardinge is proud to be part of the history of Morris Group, beginning with Robert E. Morris who, in 1935, came to Hardinge Brothers in Elmira for the start of his machine tool training. In 1941, Bob Morris founded The Robert E. Morris Company in West Hartford, CT, and represented the Bridgeport product line for many years. Now the two companies’ histories are intertwined again as The Robert E. Morris Company and its sister companies within the Morris Group network serve as distributors of all Hardinge Group machine tools, including Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger, Tschudin, Jones & Shipman brands.

“We are pleased that our growing relationship with Morris has been beneficial for both of our companies.” said Rick Simons, the president and CEO of Hardinge. “Their reputation as capable, comprehensive and a professional organization has made for a perfect fit with us.”

But that was just the beginning. On June 15-17, The Robert E. Morris Company formally celebrated its 70th anniversary at its Windsor, CT, headquarters. The theme of the event was to pay tribute to American innovation, and attendees certainly saw that through a wide selection of machine tools that were on display from Okuma, Tsugami, Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger and more; inspection and measurement equipment from Brown & Sharpe and Romer; laser marking machines from Trumpf Laser Marking Systems, and productivity enhancing tooling and accessories from leading vendors.

“We are privileged to be a witness to the ingenuity and innovation of our customers,” said Aaron Hornyak, the president of Robert E. Morris. “Without question, this event is a tribute to their accomplishments and contributions to American manufacturing over the past 70 years.”

During the event, Bruce Wheeler from Turbocam (Barrington, NH) and Alan Levesque from RBC Bearings Engineered Components Division (Oxford, CT) were selected randomly from the guest list as Open House prize winners. Wheeler won the Grand Prize: a fully equipped Angler 1467 Utility V Lowe fishing boat with trailer and outboard motor that was donated by William B. Meyer, Inc. Tom Gillon, the president and owner of William B. Meyer, personally awarded the prize to Wheeler at the end of the month at the Robert E. Morris office located in the Morris Group, Inc. headquarters.

Wheeler also received a Deluxe Fishing Package included in the Grand Prize drawing. Koma Precision donated the anchor and ropes, fishing rods, fishing net, tackle box and safety items, including an air horn, hand water pump, paddle, key float, flotation cushions, stern and bow lights, life vest and flashlight. Levesque won a gift certificate redeemable for tooling from Parlec.

www.robertemorris.com