Tooling company celebrates half-century
Tool Makers International is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The company was started back in 1961 to provide seamer tooling for major food canners in a fertile valley 50 miles south of San Francisco.
Patrick Chronis is the company’s president. His grandfather, Frank Burns, started TMI after retiring from a long career in engineering (American Can, National Can, Continental Can). He then spent almost 20 years in sales with Continental Can.
Tool Makers International has continued to supply chucks and rolls to food and beverage processors as well as canners of a wide range of products both in the US and abroad. The actual date of the anniversary is March 6, 1961.
While running fledgling TMI, Frank invented and patented the adjustable pin for Angelus 60-L and 60-H seamers and the double groove roll for Angelus P seamers. Patrick came on board in the early 1970s after graduating from college. His brother, Peter, joined him for about 25 years but from 2008, Patrick has had sole ownership of the company.
TMI’s reach is global, with a loyal customer base in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific Rim.