Our HISTORY
In the 1920's, Clark Barton Rollins began working at Phillips & Buttorf Mfg. Co., a manufacturer of stoves and house wares located in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1927, while still employed there, he started a small tool and die shop in the garage of his brother's home on Main Street in East Nashville. The tool and die business grew and in 1934 he and his partners rented a small building on Woodland Street. The tool and die shop was located on the top floor and they placed a few small wire-working machines in the basement. That same year, they incorporated this business as Nashville Wire Products Mfg. Co.
The young company's first order for 1,000 oven racks came from the Dortch Stove Company in Franklin, Tennessee. After a few years at this location, both businesses grew and ultimately separated. Mr. Rollins, known to his employees as "Mr. C.B.", took over the small wire business and in 1940 moved it into an abandoned barrel stove factory with dirt floors on Felicia Street. Oven racks were soon going out the doors to such companies as Roper, State Stove and Magic Chef. When WW II began, Nashville Wire ceased the production of oven racks and began making hinge bolts for artillery boxes.
After the war, Nashville Wire went back to producing oven racks and, with business strong, Mr. C.B. went looking to expand his small business. He noticed that the Spur Oil Company was running a promotion to give away china with the purchase of gasoline, but they had no way of displaying it. This turned into the company's first venture into the display business. Mr. C.B.'s two sons, Clark Jr. and David, soon joined the business and under their direction the company prospered and grew. In addition to oven racks and displays, wire products for the material handling industry were added to the company's offerings.
In 1934, the display business took root as its own company — Nashville Display, designing and manufacturing display solutions for clients around the world.
Today, the third generation of the Rollins family is still active in the business, leading both Nashville Wire and Nashville Display to new heights in products, services and continued customer satisfaction.
