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About Imperial Spring
Welcome to Imperial Spring. We manufacture
springs, wire forms and stampings at our main site in Milldale, Connecticut,
and a satellite facility in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
The company traces its beginnings to
1958. Founder Louis E. Palazzo, a husband and father with a young family
to support, started the business in a converted roadside hot-dog stand
with a single spring coiler and one employee -- himself. His brother,
urging him to select a commanding name, suggested Imperial Spring.
Today, Imperial Spring operates out of
two plants with more than 30 skilled employees. We serve customers worldwide
and are known internationally within the industry.
"Trust your instincts," said
Louis E. Palazzo. "Do your best. Sometimes you have to take chances."
One thing that hasn't changed is family
ownership of the privately held business.
Who We Are
President: Lawrence P. Palazzo
Lawrence Palazzo assumed the role of president on Nov. 30, 1989
from his father, kicking off the second generation of family leadership.
He is also the vice president of the New England Spring and Metal Stamping
Association (NESMA). He will become the group's president in late 2002.
He earned a BS in business from the University of Connecticut. He devotes
much of his time to Imperial Spring's critical sales effort. He also oversees
building management and expansion, and directs some of the manufacturing
departments.
Vice President: Louis B. Palazzo
Louis Palazzo, vice president, rejoined the firm in 1978 after
a five-year career as an instructor in spring manufacturing in the Bristol
(CT) School System. With a BS in mechanical engineering from the University
of Connecticut, he is responsible for engineering and quality control.
Treasurer: Michael J. Palazzo
Michael Palazzo is treasurer. He joined the company in 1982 after
earning a degree in history from Cornell University where he also studied
computer science and math. He directs information technology and is the
primary financial contact.
Controller: Benjamin M. Palazzo
Benjamin Palazzo, who heads his own professional service business
(Palazzo's Controller Alternative), is the company's business consultant.
He completed the Uniform Certified Public Accounting exam in November
1984. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut
and earned an MBA from Rensselaer, Hartford.
Founder: Louis E. Palazzo
Under Louis E. Palazzo's leadership, the company
was incorporated in 1959. Serving as Imperial's first president and current
chairman, he remains active in special engineering projects.
Entrepreneurial, mechanical, persistent
and passionate about innovation, he developed a variety of automated equipment,
including machinery that led to Imperial Spring becoming an approved supplier
for the automotive Big Three.
Dedicated to customers, employees and
family, he also gave back to the community. He is a Navy Veteran of World
War II, past elected member of the Southington Town Council, and past
president of both NESMA and the Southington Rotary Club.
He and his wife Mary, who are both active
directors of the company, own the business together with their two oldest
sons, Lawrence Palazzo and Louis B. Palazzo.
Our Mission
To provide our customers with cost-effective solutions,
total quality and commitment. And deliver precision engineering, professional
staff and hands-on service that maintain our industry leadership.
Company Milestones
1958
Louis E. Palazzo founded Imperial Spring on Route 10 in Southington,
Connecticut. First customers included pen and toy companies in New York
and New England.
1964 Moved
operations to Railroad Avenue in Southington.
Louis E. Palazzo and wire salesman Joseph
F. Collins started a professional relationship that would become a lifetime
friendship. Collins valued Palazzo's engineering and mechanical skills
and Palazzo lauded Collins' sales ability.
1966
Purchased first Baird spring generator, automation that eliminated
some handwork.
1970's
Purchased more equipment to meet growing customer demand.
1972
Constructed 12,000 square-foot building at its present location in Milldale,
Connecticut.
1982
Imperial Spring merged with CE-JA Spring Company of Newington, Connecticut,
founded by Calvin Schuetz in 1955.
1987
Imperial Spring opens Massachusetts Division
Customer base grows to include one of
the Big Three Automakers.
1988 Acquisition of Imperial
Spring's first CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) spring winder.
1989 Lawrence Palazzo assumes
presidency of Imperial Spring from his father.
1994 Expansion of the Milldale
facility to 16,000 sq. ft.
1995 Acquisition of first
five-axis "Torin" camless spring coiler.
1997 Imperial Spring, Milldale,
became ISO Registered.
1999 Imperial Spring, Milldale,
became QS Registered.
Our Thanks
To our customers, thank you for your business and
continued support. To all potential customers, if you're not doing business
with us yet, please contact us to learn how we can be of service.
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