Hardie-Tynes

Hardie-Tynes Co., Inc., founded in October 1895 by William Hardie and William Tynes as the Birmingham Engine Works, is a manufacturer of large-scale engineered industrial parts, including water control systems, mining equipment, steam turbines, pressure vessels, bridge sections, and industrial and defense equipment. The company is headquartered at 800 28th Street North. Its current president is Charles DeBardeleben, whose family purchased the company in 1997.

Hardie-Tynes began as an offshoot of the Birmingham Iron Works, founded by William Hardie's father John in 1882. After his father's death the younger Hardie, experienced in foundry operations, partnered with businessman Tynes to establish the Engine Works as an independent manufacturer processing raw gray iron into large, complex machines which were sold to mining and industrial companies across the South. Its first plant was located near Sloss Furnaces on the 2500-2700 blocks of 1st Avenue North.

The Engine Works specialized in producing steam engines based on the patented designs of Rhode Island engineer George Corliss, along with a variety of other engines, valves, hoists and compressors. A fire on January 24, 1901 destroyed the original plant, prompting its relocation to the larger present site at 8th Avenue North and 28th Street. It adopted the name Hardie-Tynes Manufacturing Company shortly before reopening in 1903. The new plant utilized steam engines to generate electrical power for its machine shop and cranes. The plant turned to production of ship engines and propeller screws as well as 2" shells during World War I, necessitating expansion of the plant with additional cranes and generators. In 1918 the foundry expanded its capacity by installing a larger-diameter cupola. After the war, the company was primarily engaged in producing equipment for public utilities such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, and for the U.S. Navy.

A second fire in 1924 prompted the foundry to install a sprinkler system throughout its plant.

In the 1960s the company's casting foundry was shut down and it turned solely to machining

References

• Tomberlin, Michael (March 7, 2012) "Birmingham industrialist brothers see pending crisis for skilled labor." The Birmingham News

External links

• Hardie-Tynes Co., Inc. website