A Legacy
That Inspires
Custom Machining & Routing
Nelson Bros & Strom
An Early Start
CMR would not be where it is today had it not been for the foundation laid down by our industry predecessors, Nelson Bros & Strom.
Around the turn of the century, Herbert Nelson first began his career in the industry when he was 15 years old, working for Mitchell Motor Car Co, JI CASE, and even making custom parts directly for Thomas Edison from 1916-1918.
While immensely formative, these experiences also made Herb realize he never wanted to work for anyone else. He had to be his own boss.
In 1919 in Racine, Wisconsin, Herb and Frank Nelson and engineer Cliff Strom founded the company on 8th Street with the help of their sister company, Racine Stoker Mfg. Co.
Rising to The Challenge
In 1944, Nelson Bros & Strom helped the US Navy win WWII, machining prop shafts for their Frigates (like the USS Racine), torpedo and howitzer parts, later receiving government awards for their excellence in the war effort.
To meet the increased war-time demand, the company scaled up to 400 employees and 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
When the war ended, they expanded their business to include service type machining that they became known for across the next 50 years.
After contracting with GE and JGI/Komatsu, they moved to the current location on Roosevelt Ave, featuring a 45,500 sq ft shop, overhead crane system, and space for further growth.
Passing The Torch
For over 100 years, Nelson Bros & Strom was an industry leader in quality, custom, short notice manufacturing, and mentorship to new generations of manufacturers through local school partnerships.
In December of 2023, Custom Machining and Routing acquired Nelson Bros & Strom, carrying on the legacy of quality innovation, craftsmanship, and mentorship into a new age of machining.
