McLeod Machine Works began as a dream of H.B. and Olive McLeod 76 years ago. H.B. worked for Mobile Pulley Works. After moving to Beaumont at the beginning of the Great Depression, he worked on the railroad and repaired scales in many grocery stores before working at Beaumont Iron Works. Olive worked a a buyer for a large department store. H.B. and Olive moved to Orange when World War II began and built boats for the Navy and Olive worked in the offices. She saved all of her paychecks to start a machine shop. In 1945 H.B. went to Manila, Phillppines to start a shipyard. When he returned, he began a shop in his garage. After leaving his job with American Locomotive, he doubled the size of the garage and the number of employees and named the business McLeod Machine Works.
The shop grew rapidly in size and a young man named James C. Smith began working as one of the employees. H.B. ran the shop, Olive ran the office, along with their daughters Anita and Billie.
In 1956, Anita married James C. Smith, and had two sons. Their son Cal Smith worked after school and weekends, summers and then full-time when he graduated from Forest Park High School in 1976. James and Anita’s son James “Andy” Smith also started working at the machine shop. When James retired, Cal took over the machine shop in his early 30’s and is now President of the corporation and Andy is the Vice-President. James and Anita still are involved with McLeod Machine.
With 76 years in the machining and valve automation industry, McLeod’s has the experience and well-trained staff to meet your needs. Cal Smith, President is on site to share his knowledge of valves and automation. McLeod’s has an extensive library of different valves, actuators, switches, positioners, et. from nearly all the manufacturers in the market. Our facilities offer many different options for your manufacturing needs.