The Taylor Supply Company

Since 1910, The Taylor Supply Company has been a leading distribution center of specialty mechanical tubing and pipe in Western Michigan. We stock a wide variety of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and alloy tubing. Additionally, we provide saw cutting, threading, honing, grooving, centerless grinding, and delivery services. With our experienced and knowledgeable staff, precision machines, and vast inventory, we will meet your tubing, pipe, and threading requirements.

HISTORY

On April 16, 1910 when The Taylor Supply Company was incorporated, Detroit was a bustling city of about 466,000 in population and boasted of eleven automotive companies. The auto industry was paced by Ford Motor Company with it famous 'Model T', and workers were flocking to the city to seek employment in the rapidly growing motor industry.

Visualizing the possibilities of a distributor-type of business which would supply the industrial trade with pipe, valves, and fittings. The Taylor Supply Company was founded by James P. Feely and Harry W. Taylor and opened it quarters at 100 W. Jefferson Ave.

James P. Feely, a native of Toledo, who had worked for the Ideal Manufacturing Company, became the new firm's president, while Harry W. Taylor was name secretary treasurer.

About a year later, the company moved to larger quarters on West Larned street. It was about this time that I. R. Dedow became associated with the young firm. In addition to the two founders and a women employee, this constituted the entire staff of the company. Deliveries were being made by a single horse drawn vehicle. By 1912, employment had risen to twelve, and the Taylor Supply Company was forced lto hire extra drays to keep its deliveries up to date.

After the war, 1919, Etta Jewell came to work for the company and remained there as comptroller for 41 years until her retirement in 1959. A year later, Frank Feely became associated with the company. In the early 20's, Fred J. Feely, son of the co-founded, also began learning the business during his summer vacations while attending the University of Michigan. When he graduated in 1926, he became a full-time employee and served as purchasing agent from that time until 1945.

By 1928, the company had outgrown its Larned street quarters and on September 24th of that year moved to 700 Monroe street, where it occupied buildings that had been erected by John and Horace Dodge, automotive pioneers.

On June 28, 1945, the Harry W. Taylor family sold out its interest in the business to the Feely family. Fred Feely became secretary-treasurer of the firm.

By 1950, 'growing pains' were being felt and the company established a new pipe shop and pipe warehouse at Gratiot and Beaufait streets.

In 1955, the Tubular Sales Division was organized- a separate division to handle mechanical tubing covering the Detriot marketing area- with offices and warehouse at 6509 Gratiot avenue.

When James P. Feely died in 1957, the presidency passed to his son, Fred J. Feely, who had been with the company for 31 years at the time. His father had been president for 47 years.

In 1961, the Monroe street offices and warehouse of The Taylor Supply Company were condemned for urban renewal and for the Chrysler Expressway, and new offices and warehouse were built at 4700 Beaufait. The warehouse was 30,000 square feet with an additional 10,000 square feet in offices. These were the corporate headquarters for both Taylor Supply and Tubular Sales.

In January, 1960, Tubular Sales in Fort Wayne, Indiana was established. This operation was subsequently moved to Indianapolis in October of 1961. In February, 1964 saw the opening of Tubular Sales in Youngstown, Ohio. This operation, however, was closed in May of 1967. Our first venture into a joint pipe, valve, fitting and tubing operation took place in November, 1965 with the opening of Taylor-Tubular in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids operation, however, has since been changed into a separate operation with separate identities and selling efforts for The Taylor Supply Company and Tubular Sales Division. The Grand Rapids operation was later purchased by Richard Larsen and is now currently being managed by Jeffery Larsen, Richard's son.