Member of Morris Group International
Our History
Since 1945, Acorn Engineering Company®, has defined industry standards with the broadest line of stainless steel and solid surface sinks, plumbing fixtures, and showers and mop basins designed for institutional and commercial markets.
In 1945, Earl Morris founded the Earl L. Morris Company (ELMCO™) in downtown Los Angeles. After his years of experience selling pipe valves, fittings, and other plumbing products, Morris found that the type of products he enjoyed selling the most were those specified by the engineer.
In 1954, he established a new manufacturing division called Acorn Engineering Company. Acorn began as a small manufacturer specializing in specified plumbing products. The company manufactured a line of prefabricated stainless steel shower equipment for the school and institutional markets in the 1950s.
In 1960, the company moved to its present-day location in City of Industry, CA, providing space for the company to grow its operations with new product lines and acquisitions.
In 1969, Acorn designed, engineered and produced a new market-leading product line of deep drawn and fabricated stainless steel plumbing fixtures. With the addition of these important core products, Acorn Engineering Company quickly grew to become a world leader in the manufacturing of stainless steel plumbing fixtures, valued in correctional facilities and high-traffic areas for their vandal-resistance and durability. The latest technologies in laser cutting and deep-draw press have only served to reinforce quality and longevity.
As Acorn Engineering Company grew, companies and partnerships were acquired in similar and related fields. A new parent company was formed to encompass all the divisions—the Acorn Family of Companies. In 2012, the Acorn Family of Companies was renamed Morris Group International® to better promote the diverse industries and product lines it represents.
Timeline
Our Beginning 1945-1960
1945 Earl Morris started the "Earl L. Morris Company" (thus the origin of the name ELMCO™) in downtown Los Angeles. They represented and manufactured a line of stainless steel prefab shower equipment primarily for school and institutional markets.
1954 Acorn Engineering Company established with the tagline, "Manufacturers of stainless steel plumbing products."
1960 Acorn moved to its current location in the City of Industry.
Early Growth 1975-1978
1975 Acquired Logan Manufacturing Company and Kelsey-Hayes.
1976 Acquired Aveco, which became Mechanical Sales and later changed its name to Elmco Monk. In 1999 it became Elmco & Associates.
1978 Purchased Schwinghammers in Phoenix, AZ, which became Elmco Sales/Phoenix. In 2001 it became Elmco/Stewart. Elmco Stewart now represent the MGI brands in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas (as Elmco Silverstate).
Expansion 1979-1982
1979 Acquired Aluminum Plumbing Fixture Co.; kept Super Secur building division and brand.
1979 Acorn purchased 3 acres adjacent to Building 2 for eventual expansion.
1979-1982 Acorn Engineering Company established with the tagline, "Manufacturers of stainless steel plumbing products."
1981 Acorn began design of Building 5 to house Elmco Sales. It was completed in 1983.
1982 Acorn designed, planned and constructed corporate offices at 15125 Proctor Ave. (Building 1)
New Generation of Leadership 1985-1995
1985 Don Morris, Executive Vice President, is appointed President of Acorn Engineering Company.
1985 Acorn acquires Whitehall Electro Medical, incorporated as Whitehall Mfg. Co.
1989 Elmdor Mfg. division started. Acorn launches the Neo-Metro brand of sinks.
1989 Opened a plant in Mexico as Plomeria Especializada, later name changed to F&M (Fabrication y Manufacturas de Mexico S.A. de C.V.)
1990 Partner with Evac (AcornEvac). Incorporated as AcornVac, Inc. in 2000.
1995 Acorn Engineering Company purchased Stoneman Mfg. Company, which was merged with Elmdor Mfg. to become Elmdor/Stoneman. Dennis Morris, who had worked at Elmco Sales for many years, became Vice President of the Elmdor/Stoneman division.
The Decade of Prosperity and Strength 2010-2022
2010 Acorn forms a business alliance with Jay R. Smith Mfg, Co. giving Acorn 50% ownership of Smith.
2012 Don E. Morris becomes President/CEO of Morris Group International.
2016 Acorn Controls launches a new product line and Acorn Drinking Fountains transfers to Murdock Manufacturing.
2017 Secur-Care®, ligature-resistant fixtures, is launched by Acorn to address the changes taking place in the justice reform space.
2017 Donald E. Morris is recognized as the "Person of the Year" by The Wholesaler magazine. Whitehall announces BestCare®, a line of ligature resistant fixtures for the healthcare market.
2018 The Terrazzo shower base and mop sink product line is re-introduced with new designs. The Acorn Engineered Systems division is formed to promote tempered water systems for industrial safety.
2019-2020 Acorn and Murdock introduce a complete line of hand wash sinks and bottle fillers to include the Wedge® solid surface and stainless-steel wash stations, Vari-Slab® configurable sink, Deluxe Trough sink, Eco-Trough sink, Portable Wash-Ware® sink, Ellipse™ Wash Station, Wash-N-Go!® wash station, EZReach™ Bottle Filler, and H2O-To-Go!® combination hand wash station, bottle filler and drinking fountain.
2021 Acorn Engineering, Acorn Controls, Murdock, and Acorn Safety all release new products to expand their offerings and to align with industry trends. New products include a portable eye wash unit, SLAB™ shower bases, Wudu wash trough station, Murdock filtration system, and Murdock wall-mounted water fountains and bottle filling stations.
2021 Morris Group International purchases Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. from Smith Family Holdings; Smith expands its market reach and facilities in Montgomery, AL.
2022 Acorn reimagines commercial hand washing products, designs, and material. Neo-Metro by Acorn is introduced with new mission, brand, value, and personality. The new website allows customers to configure products using 3D renderings.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Startups
1984 (Acudor/Acorn Ltd.)
A Canadian joint venture is established. Today it is known as Morris/Lee, Ltd.
Morris/Lee, LTD.
1986 (Whitehall Manufacturing)
Whitehall Electro Medical in New Jersey acquired. President Sal Zaita stays on for 5 years with Whitehall.
Whitehall Manufacturing
1989 (Plomeria & Neo-Metro)
Plomeria in Mexico started. Plomeria was later renamed Fabricación y Manufacturas de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Acorn moves into commercial sinks with the introduction of Neo-Metro by Acorn.
1995 (Acorn Thorn Ltd.)
A new international partnership in the UK is established.
Acorn Thorn is based in the city of Gloucester, United Kingdom, formally Acorn Powell.
Acorn Thorn
1996 (Acorn Gencon)
The Acorn Plastics Division acquires Savannah/Cal Tube. In 2001, it became Acorn Gencon Plastics.
Acorn-Gencon Plastics
1999 (Chronomite Laboratories)
The Elmco's represented the product for over 15 years before Acorn purchased the Chronomite Laboratories company.
Chronomite Laboratories
2000 (AcornVac Inc.)
AcornVac Inc. designed and introduced a line of vacuum plumbing. AcornVac's prior joint venture experience led the way to expansion into supermarkets and prison construction.
AcornVac Inc.
2002 (Potter Roemer - Fire Pro)
Potter Roemer - Fire Pro established, with Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. and Acorn Engineering Company each owning 50%.
Potter Roemer
2005 (Murdock Manufacturing)
Acorn and Murdock partner to become Murdock-Super Secur for the parks and recreation, commerical, and plumbing markets. In 2012, Murdock became the brand name for indoor and outdoor bottle fillers, drinking fountains and water coolers.
Murdock Manufacturing
2008 (Thermo-Electric Company)
Whitehall Manufacturing acquires Thermo-Electric Company, a diversified manufacturer of hospital and therapy products.
2010 (Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co)
Acorn Engineering Company formed a partnership with Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., a company that the Elmcos have represented for over 50 years.
Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co
2011 (Morris Industries Mexico)
Morris Industries Mexico is incorporated for Central and Latin America Manufacturing and Sales.
Morris Industries Mexico
2011 (Ferno Ille)
Acorn Engineering Company acquired Ferno Ille to expand the Whitehall Therapy product line.
2012 (Elmco Group)
Elmco™ Sales, our oldest division, Elmco™ & Associates and Elmco™/Stewart, became part of the newly formed Elmco™ Group.
Elmco Group
2012 (Morris Group International)
Morris Group International is established as the parent company of Acorn and its family of companies. The Morris Group adopted the tagline. "Innovative spirit and engineering foundation."
Morris Group International
2015 (Acorn Beekeeping Equipment)
Morris Group International partners with Nick Lissaman to create Acorn Beekeeping Equipment to produce plastic frames and foundation at Acorn Gencon Plastics.
Acorn Beekeeping Equipment
2016 (Larsen's Manufacturing Co.)
Morris Group International acquires Larsen's Manufacturing, Minneapolis, MN and Pompano Beach, FL.
Larsen's Manufacturing Co.
2020 (Fire-End and Croker)
Morris Group International expands further into the fire protection business with the purchase of Fire-End and Croker.
FireEnd Croker Fire Prevention2021 (Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.)
Morris Group International acquires Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. from Smith Family Holdings.
Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.