Borroughs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Borroughs Corporation is a leading U.S. shelving and office fixture manufacturer based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Borroughs was established in 1938 under the name Probar Company. In 1939, the founder, Walter L. Borroughs, changed the name to Borroughs Manufacturing Company.
The company began as a contract fabricator, producing saw cabinets. It soon branched out and began producing fluorescent strip lighting fixtures as well as continuing contract work for automotive accessory firms.
During World War II, it was a subcontractor for various military components such as water baffles for amphibious landing craft, land tank components, gun turret components, and air scoops for aircraft.
After the war, it became a leading manufacturer of automotive bins. Following Mr. Borroughs' death in 1948, the company was purchased by American Metal Products Company in 1950. In 1950s, the company began an Office Furniture line of products and several types of industrial shelving and storage units.
In 1966, Borroughs' parent company, American Metal Products, merged with Lear Siegler, Inc. Borroughs was a separate division within the new corporation.
In 1987, Forstmann Little purchased Lear Siegler and in 1991, Borroughs management and local owners in Kalamazoo purchased Borroughs from Forstmann Little.
