Melron

Melron emerged out of the Norlen Corporation; founded in 1964 as a custom metal stamping company by Norman and Leonard Peterson. "Norlen" was an extension of Nor[man]'s and Len[onard]’s first names, and the brothers reversed the letters in Norlen for their new company (replacing the N with an M for a better sound), "Melron."

In 1968, Norm and Leonard Peterson purchased a defunct, window hardware manufacturing shop in Schofield and created Melron Corporation. They may have also purchased the lines of other foundry companies in the area over the years as well.

^ Norman Peterson with General Manager Dean Boren in 1983, from Wausau Daily Herald

While Norlen came to focus on fabricating parts for other companies (i.e. “electric motors, ventilating equipment and fire extinguishing industries”), Melron’s foundry—added in 1969—produced a variety of window hardware (due to weight limitations).[1]

Norman took sole control over Melron in 1988 (Leonard appears to have taken over Norlen).

^Melron moved into a larger facility in 2004, in Weston.

In 1996, Norm’s daughter Debbie Flood took over Melron after her father’s death. And over the next twenty years, Melron has changed to remain competively relevent in the digial age. 

In 2004, they started to integrate new processes such as the use of CAD programs, and [some point] they integrated annodizing and finishing processes into their production.