The History of Rottler
In 1923 Clarence T. Rottler started the Rottler Boring Bar Company to manufacture machine tool equipment for the automotive aftermarket. The first machine sale resulted from construction of a portable-type machine during off hours, then hand-carrying that machine on a street car to an "automobile row" automotive repair shop to demonstrate and sell it.
In this earlier day of the automobile, which traveled on mostly gravel roads, repairs were required frequently. If an automobile traveled from Seattle to Portland and back, engine repairs were likely needed. In this climate the Rottler Boring Bar Company became an independent entity and increasingly prosperous through the roaring twenties. The company moved into a larger facility at the center of Seattle manufacturing.
Clarence T. Rottler died in 1956 and his son Don Rottler, already active in the company, assumed leadership.
Rottler's original marketplace changed as the automotive line dwindled. Shops were fewer but larger and started to perform complete automotive engine remanufacturing more economically. Don Rottler saw opportunity in this market shift and steered the company towards producing equipment that was larger, more productive and easier to operate.
As Rottler Boring Bar Company expanded beyond portable boring bars the company name was changed to Rottler Manufacturing. Sales volume grew exponentially as new innovative and patent protected products were added to the company's catalog.
After two plant relocations, the company constructed a thirty-five-thousand square-foot manufacturing facility on a four and one-half acre site in Kent, Washington. The company is still at this location today and in 2011 added an additional 20,000 square feet to the plant.
In 1985 the company's products changed from strictly mechanical controls to electro-mechanical systems that were soon coupled to micro-processors providing automated work cycles. This transition was essentially completed throughout the product line by 1997.
Beginning in 1997, Don's son, Andy Rottler, took the helm. The new millennium has brought continued change to the market place. The traditional automotive engine rebuilder who was once the main stay of Rottler's business has all but disappeared. Rottler adjusted by designing new machines for the performance engine building and industrial engine remanufacturing industries. Pioneering mechanical and machine control design has been key to Rottler's success in leading the engine building market. Equally important has been the increased effort in export sales. Rottler has increased export sales to more than 50% of its total product sales.
Rottler takes great pride in the quality and integrity of both their uncompromised product line and their commitment to service.
In this earlier day of the automobile, which traveled on mostly gravel roads, repairs were required frequently. If an automobile traveled from Seattle to Portland and back, engine repairs were likely needed. In this climate the Rottler Boring Bar Company became an independent entity and increasingly prosperous through the roaring twenties. The company moved into a larger facility at the center of Seattle manufacturing.
Clarence T. Rottler died in 1956 and his son Don Rottler, already active in the company, assumed leadership.
Rottler's original marketplace changed as the automotive line dwindled. Shops were fewer but larger and started to perform complete automotive engine remanufacturing more economically. Don Rottler saw opportunity in this market shift and steered the company towards producing equipment that was larger, more productive and easier to operate.
As Rottler Boring Bar Company expanded beyond portable boring bars the company name was changed to Rottler Manufacturing. Sales volume grew exponentially as new innovative and patent protected products were added to the company's catalog.
After two plant relocations, the company constructed a thirty-five-thousand square-foot manufacturing facility on a four and one-half acre site in Kent, Washington. The company is still at this location today and in 2011 added an additional 20,000 square feet to the plant.
In 1985 the company's products changed from strictly mechanical controls to electro-mechanical systems that were soon coupled to micro-processors providing automated work cycles. This transition was essentially completed throughout the product line by 1997.
Beginning in 1997, Don's son, Andy Rottler, took the helm. The new millennium has brought continued change to the market place. The traditional automotive engine rebuilder who was once the main stay of Rottler's business has all but disappeared. Rottler adjusted by designing new machines for the performance engine building and industrial engine remanufacturing industries. Pioneering mechanical and machine control design has been key to Rottler's success in leading the engine building market. Equally important has been the increased effort in export sales. Rottler has increased export sales to more than 50% of its total product sales.
Rottler takes great pride in the quality and integrity of both their uncompromised product line and their commitment to service.
