OUR HISTORY
 John Gill started a small
tool and die company with his brother in-law, Gerald Williams, in 1964. John saw a need in the market that wasn’t being met.
He knew he could build a better, higher quality, more cost effective, progressive tool than what was being built. Well, the die shop
has transformed…
Gill was stamping products in the 70’s, welding and assembling components in the 80’s. And in the 90’s,
when the products we were producing were becoming increasingly complex, we invested in product design and engineering capabilities.
Today, Gill is a “black-box solution provider”.
In 1985, John Gill gave into the gentle nudges of his wife Rita Williams and hired her as general manager. Gill
was $8 million in sales at the time. Today Rita is the Chairman of the Board and majority owner of Gill Industries. We are a certified female owned
business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Sales are $100-$200 million and steadily rising due to our
recent expansions. With over 350,000 square feet, we span the globe, with manufacturing and office locations in Michigan,
Georgia, Mexico and Europe.
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KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS
1964-Founded by Rita Williams' husband, John Gill, and her brother, Gerald Williams.
1965-Incorporated as Gill and Williams Tooling.
1969-Stamping capacity added to the Tool and Die capability.
1974-Large assembly facility built on Plainfield Ave. in Grand Rapids.
1980-Expanded the Plainfield Ave campus by purchasing the building that is currently the Rita Williams Corporate Center, which was used for production until 2002.
1984-Rita Williams enters as Vice President and General Manager, Gerald Williams retires.
1996-Opened a manufacturing facility in Trenton, GA to serve southern customers.
1997-Rita Williams named CEO and majority owner. Additional facilities added.
1997-QS9000 certified.
1998-Established an in-house sales force.
1998-Began using in-house design capabilities.
2000-Started in-house R & D and testing services.
2000-Began implementation of the Toyota Production System.
2002-Opened the new Rita Williams Corporate Center.
2003-Certified Women Business Enterprise.
2004-Became a smoke-free campus.
2004-Rita Williams wins Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
2005-TS16949 Certified.
2006-Adds production capabilities in Mexico, along with sales and engineering in Europe. |
