Rocklin Manufacturing Restores Historic Building

Rocklin Manufacturing Co. (Sioux City, IA) began in 1934, during the height of the Depression, and just eight years later founder I.J. Rocklin moved them to a uniquely constructed, two-story brick building built in 1912. After a massive restoration effort that began in 2016, they are once again calling this historic building home. The company’s roots were in farm equipment, but the focus shifted in 1942 to full-time support of the WWII effort. Two hastily constructed building additions were appended to keep up with demand.

As the company’s products and focus evolved after the war, the operation shifted to those additions. The brick building sat largely dormant and neglected for nearly 50 years, until now. Located in the heart of a revitalized district in downtown Sioux City, it has both local and national significance, including the unique claim of supporting both world wars within its walls. At the height of WWII, 250 employees worked around-the-clock to support the war effort, including manufacturing escape tank hatches, running gear and shock absorbers. The company was awarded the prestigious Ordnance Flag, which just 13 out of 2,200 applicants received in honor of outstanding wartime production. The rare Ordnance Flag now hangs proudly in the entryway of the refurbished building.

After WWII, their products ranged from tractor blades to lawn mowers to water level controls and many more, always with a focus on driving productivity improvements and cost savings for their customers. It was when Rocklin invented the company’s core product, the Rocklinizer Carbide Application Equipment, in the mid-1960s that the operation predominantly shifted from the brick to the adjacent buildings.

As part of the restoration process, they have pursued a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which they are on track to receive next year. The effort featured substantial brick restoration plus windows, doors, flooring, columns and other features that match historical photographs. However, the old is coupled with state-of-the-art features, including a new conference/showroom, an engineering lab, improved office space, and enhanced production, quality control and warehousing areas. In addition, a 32 ft x 40 ft mural on the south wall of the building painted by local Iowa artists depicts the company’s workers during WWII along with Rocklin and his son Jim, who led the company for 40 years until his death in January 2017. A plaque in the building’s entrance dedicates the building to his memory.

Under the direction of Jim’s son, Sam Rocklin, the company now has two facets to their business. They manufacture two products sold worldwide through a global sales and distribution network. The core product remains the Rocklinizer. The other product they manufacture is the MoldMender Micro Welder, which repairs plastic injection molds and dies made of steel. They also selectively import products for distribution throughout North America: Markator dot peen and scribe marking equipment including the FlyMarker® battery-operated marking unit from Germany, the LaserEvo fiber laser marking equipment from Italy, and the Lase One Micro Welder from France.

www.rocklinmfg.com