Call Number:

14

Repository:

Tri-County Heritage Society

Extent:

1.75 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1970s-1990s

Creator:

Morgan Corporation (Morgantown, Pa.)

Abstract:

Morgan Corporation was established in 1952 by Elton E. Mountz as Mountz Welding, a small welding shop in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania that specialized in residential and farm implements repairs. The shop became Morgan Trailer Manufacturing Co. in 1960 and expanded to include repairs and refurbishing of trailers and truck equipment, as well as the assembly, mounting, and finishing of prefabricated van body "kits." Morgan introduced its own non-kit body in 1970, and in 1981 changed its name to Morgan Corporation. As of 2016, Morgan Corporation is the largest manufacturer of Class 3 to 7 dry freight van bodies and refrigerated truck bodies in the United States. Morgan Corporation records, circa 1970s-1990s, consist of very small amounts administrative and financial records from Morgan Corporation, as well as some objects.

Morgan Corporation was established in 1952 by Elton E. Mountz as Mountz Welding, a small welding shop in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania that specialized in residential and farm implements repairs. Mountz expanded his shop in 1958, doubling the size of his facility and expanding the business to include repairs and refurbishing of trailers and truck equipment.

In 1960, the company changed its name to Morgan Trailer Manufacturing Co. and the business expanded to include not only repair work, but the assembly, mounting, and finishing of prefabricated van body "kits." New facilities were added, including a new painting facility and manufacturing space. Morgan Trailer also introduced a non-kit truck body under the Morgan name at this time. With the popularity of this truck body design, Morgan was able to further expand its Morgantown facilities as well as acquire a facility in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1975.

As the company's sales force and costumer base expanded, the company changed its name in 1981 to Morgan Corporation. The company continued to grow, opening manufacturing complexes and plants in Georgia, Arizona, and Texas. In 1986, a factory sales and service branch was opened in Fontana, California. The company introduced the Morgan Gold Star van body series in 1989.

Elton Mountz retired in 1990 and ownership of Morgan Corporation was transferred to J.B. Poindexter & Co., an investment group located in Houston, Texas. At this time, Morgan opened sales and services branches in Florida, Colorado, and Georgia and manufacturing locations in California and Florida. Morgan also extended into Canada, working with Canadian manufacturer Commercial-Babcock, which became Morgan-Babcock.

As of 2016, Morgan Corporation is the largest manufacturer of Class 3 to 7 dry freight van bodies and refrigerated truck bodies in the United States.

Bibliography:

Morgan Corporation. "Morgan Corporation Company History." Accessed November 5, 2015. http://www.morgancorp.com/about-us/history.php.

Morgan Corporation records, circa 1970s-1990s, consist of very small amounts of administrative and financial records from Morgan Corporation, as well as some objects. There are employee records, customer lists, customer correspondence, vender maintenance files, invoices, staff directories, newspapers, blank stationary, and corporate calendars. The collection also includes copies of corporate newsletters such as Morgan Matters, Team Works, and Busy Body, 1980s-1990. There are a few small published books in the collection.

Objects in the collection consist of a Morgan Corporation ruler, stamp, letter opener, key chain, sweater, and other small objects produced for Morgan Corporation marketing purposes.