THE LEACH FAMILY BUSINESS: OVER A CENTURY OF MAKING CASTINGS

THE EARLY YEARS
In order to survive over a long period, every successful family-owned business learns to confront problems and arrive at solutions. The Leach family’s drive and determination to succeed in business might be connected in part to our family history—dealing with the extreme conditions of the food shortage in Ireland, and the discrimination against Irish Immigrants during their early years in America.

The story of the Leach family business begins in Ireland in 1845. During the Irish potato famine, the Leach family—four adults and many children—left Ireland for the new world, settling in New York City for short time. Irish immigrants were plentiful and good jobs were scarce but the men found work as stone cutters. Perhaps seeking more favorable conditions for the family, they moved to Hartford, Connecticut in 1846. In the coming years, the people of Hartford plunged into a frenzied period of money making and business expansion. The city enjoyed the highest per capita wealth in America. The well-to-do pursued culture, philanthropy and sports. At the bottom of the pyramid struggled more than 6,000 Irish immigrants. Gradually, they filtered into factories, although for a long time many employers hung out signs reading”No Irish Need Apply.” One of the largest employers in that city was the Colt Armory & Foundry. It might have employed the Leach men in higher paying jobs as foundry workers. The first Leach foundry was started by Patrick Leach and he was born Hartford in 1847 and spent his youth in Hartford and New England. After leaving his native state, perhaps to escape the discrimination, he made his way to Galesburg, Illinois. After residing in Illinois for two years, the family traveled by train and boat to Portland, Oregon, arriving in 1877.

THE WEST COAST AND STARTING THE EXCELSIOR FOUNDRY
As a young man, Patrick found work in the Smith & Watson Iron Works and learned the skills needed to open his own foundry. Portland was growing rapidly and there was a need for construction castings and Patrick responded by starting his own foundry, Excelsior Iron Works. The original business journal states, "Opened for business today, March 17, 1880," The obvious pride of accomplishment is evident on page one of the old book: the list of assets includes shovels, miscellaneous foundry tools and a steam engine with a $650 mortgage.

After crossing the Atlantic Ocean and the American continent, the immigrant family from Dublin had found the American dream in Portland—a prosperous business and a good place to raise their families. Nearing retirement age in 1905, Patrick sold the foundry to his sons Winfield and George Leach. After the transfer of ownership, they renamed it Leach Brothers Iron Works.

OUR SECOND FOUNDRY
In the early 1900s, Portland, Oregon was a thriving city of over 100,000 people, already known as the Boston of the West for its cultural sophistication. As a natural port on the Columbia River, Portland was the hub of commerce for the inland industries: logging, mining and agriculture. The demand for cast iron construction products exceeded the capacity of the Portland foundry. Winfield and George opened a second, larger foundry in Seattle, Washington. Products included sash weights, washers, bridge castings, and general industrial machinery castings. Then came the crash.

THE DEPRESSION
The worldwide economy staggered after the Wall Street crash of 1929. With few housing starts, the need for construction castings that were the lifeblood of both foundries evaporated. By 1933, many of the equipment manufacturers that relied on Leach Brothers to cast their products were weakened or bankrupted. The Leach family attempted a consolidation, combining both foundries into one hoping to have one survive, but it was useless. There was not enough casting demand to keep the remaining foundry operating. It was devastating to the families. Not only did the foundries close but homes, cars, and all valuable assets were repossessed. The young children were sent to live with relatives on a farm in Oregon. The men were searching for a new start and the right business opportunity 

NEW DIRECTIONS
During the mid 1930s the Leach brothers, George and Winfield, searched for new markets and a location for another foundry away from the depressed Northwest. In 1935, they opened Pacific Ball Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles. This endeavor focused on the production of grinding balls and mill liners for gold mines, metal mines and cement plants. Many new copper mines were opening in the Southwest, and this was good news for Pacific Ball. Increased demand for pulverized aggregate drove grinding-ball production and allowed them to offer other abrasion-resistant products. Partnering with the International Nickel Company, Pacific Ball became the first licensed producer of Ni-Hard in the West. Pacific Ball introduced this revolutionary wear-resistant iron to the Arizona copper mines and many material processing plants in California. Winfield's son, Walter, joined the business soon after it opened in Los Angeles and later became President, a third generation Leach to manage the foundry.

 THE SEVENTIES & EIGHTIES: BEGINNING OF SOLID GROWTH 
As Pacific Ball found new markets and products, the 1970s and 80s were devoted to upgrading our facilities to produce those parts. There were new problems to be solved: producing larger parts, thicker sections, complex configurations, higher production demands, tighter tolerances, new alloys, meeting the need for greater quality assurance procedures and solving new environmental requirements. Many process improvements aided our growth. The switch to electric induction melting, No Bake molding, automatic green sand molding, and PLC controls on many processes were part of this rapid expansion, quality improvement and workplace upgrading. With the passing years, Walter Leach retired and James Leach, the fourth generation Leach to manage a Leach foundry, became President. Soon after, we changed our name to reflect the diverse product line produced by Pacific Alloy Casting Company. 

THE NINETIES,
By 1990, Pacific Alloy was one of the larger domestic manufacturers of Ni-Hard & Hi-Chrome iron in the West. Favorable business conditions allowed Pacific Alloy to continue to grow and diversify, while at the same time improving our quality products. We expanded our stainless steel production to meet the increased demand. Always a leader in health and safety matters, during the 1990s Pacific Alloy responded to the many natural resource issues that faced all American industries.

THE NEW MILLENNIUM
New challenges for Pacific Alloy come from many directions.  We continue to improve our facility, adding the newest production equipment available. We strive to achieve industrial leadership through excellence in product quality, superior production facilities, customer service, innovation, employee involvement, and profitable growth. We continue to promote a team environment that will allow us to recognize and respond to an ever-changing marketplace.