Company Profile
Columbia Machine Works, Inc.
Company Overview
Columbia Machine Works, Inc. is an experienced provider of precision machining, full-service fabrication, and industrial maintenance/field service. In addition, CMW is also a supplier of graphite electrode handling products for the steel industry. Our facility is well-equipped to handle complex projects that require quick turnaround, large size/diameter capabilities, and heavy-duty overhead crane capacity. We offer in-house engineering consulting for projects that even may require turnkey solutions, as well as many other ancillary services. CMW has its own fleet of trucks to provide the best field service to our customers who rely on us to keep their stamping presses running. CMW has been a trusted name for over 90 years and counting.
Company History
Columbia Machine Works, Inc. (CMW) was founded in 1927 by the late John Kinnard Langsdon, Sr. John, Sr. began his career around 1918 as a truck driver for Armour Fertilizer Works of Maury County (Tennessee). Armour’s operations included an on-site machine shop to repair the equipment used in mining phosphate. When John, Sr. was not busy driving a truck, he would spend time in the machine shop learning the trade. Over time, he gained enough knowledge and experience to work in the machine shop and eventually ran the shop for Armour. A few years later, John, Sr. and one of his associates at Armour, Barkley King (then plant supervisor) decided to open an independent machine shop to serve the needs of the burgeoning industrial and agricultural sectors in Maury County. John, Sr. ran the business while Barkley King was simply a silent partner. One year later, John Sr. bought Barkley King’s share of the business and became sole owner.
Operations began in the original location at 314 West 11th Street with approximately five employees. Initially, CMW’s main business was performing repair work for customers like Columbia Mill & Elevator Company who had a number of shafts and gears that needed repair. However, during the Great Depression, the volume of machine and fabrication work fell to almost nothing, so CMW shifted into the auto repair business. CMW quickly became recognized as the foremost auto repair shop in the area and were known for the quality of their work. CMW also had the first push mower-sharpening machine in the area and became well known for its work on these lawn mowers.
In 1934, as CMW grew, it was moved to a larger location at 108 East 6th Street. In the late 30’s and early 40’s, as the chemical plants and other industries began to move into Maury County, the auto repair business was gradually phased out. In the early 50’s CMW established a maintenance division to offer on-site repair services and equipment rebuilding services. At this time, the high concentration of phosphate and other chemical operations in Maury County provided most of the opportunity for service.
The change in business and continued growth of CMW lead to a second move in 1946 to 511 North Main Street. In addition to the Columbia site, a second shop was opened in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The Hohenwald branch, which specialized in manufacturing cast iron spur gears, was in operation from 1967 until 1974.
In 1972, the CMW was moved to 919 North James Campbell Blvd. When this facility was completed, it had 25,000 square feet of machining, welding, and office space and was the largest shop of its kind in Maury and the surrounding counties. About this same time, operations expanded to include an engineering division to design tooling, fixtures, special manufacturing machines, and custom-designed systems. An additional 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space was completed in 1996.
In January 2006, the CMW relocated to 1940 Oakland Parkway. This move more than doubled the size of facility space to approximately 70,000 square feet. In 2016, an additional bay was added, adding 16,800 square feet and 30 ft. of crane height. Over the years, CMW has adapted to an ever-changing marketplace. As many of the chemical plants in Maury County closed, the CMW’s business focus shifted toward the repair of manufacturing equipment for a variety of industries. The maintenance division became well known for their expertise in repairing and rebuilding mechanical stamping presses and other manufacturing equipment. The welding and fabrication division diversified and gained expertise in a wide range of welding processes. The engineering division increased its expertise and resources to be able to custom-design and build even the most complicated automated manufacturing equipment. In addition, CMW has always and continues to serve individual customers in the community on many smaller jobs.
CMW has also experienced an expansion in the geographical area serviced. Today, CMW operates in 46 states and serves over 300 companies annually. CMW has grown alongside Maury County, and the company’s commitment to the surrounding community has never wavered. CMW currently employees the most experienced machinists, welders, maintenance specialists, engineers, and support staff found anywhere.
From the beginning, CMW has been a family owned and operated business. In 1972, CMW was chartered as a corporation. The first Board of Directors consisted of John K. Langsdon, Jr., H.D. Whiteside, Jr. (son-in-law of John, Sr.) and John K. Langsdon, Sr. In 1978, Gladys Alderson (daughter of John, Sr.) was elected to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy left by the death of John K. Langsdon, Sr., Robert Langsdon (son of John, Sr.) was elected to the Board in 1979 to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of H.D. Whiteside, Jr. In 1982, J. K. Langsdon, Jr. purchased Robert Langsdon’s stock and then owned 100% of the company. J. K. Langsdon, Jr. began working with the company in 1959 after graduating with an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. In 2003, following the death of J. K. Langsdon, Jr., his sons James D. Langsdon and John K. Langsdon, III became the new owners. In 2013, James D. Langsdon passed away and John K. Langsdon III became the sole owner of CMW.
Since its inception, CMW has distinguished itself as an engineering-based company that offers many services and technical solutions designed to provide a cost-efficient, high-quality product to those it serves.
Offering customers a full range of services at competitive rates allows CMW to be one of the most outstanding shops in the area, one with a solid base of loyal customers and friends.
Notable Clients
Trinity Industries, Walker Die Cast, Twin City Fan, Hoeganaes, Alma Machinery, General Motors
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
We have been serving industry for 90+ years. We have earned a reputation as being the company to call to get problems solved quickly.