Last month, we followed G. O. Carlson, Inc. through a period of significant industrial growth, culminating in 1973 when The Boeing Company selected G. O. Carlson as its Small Business Supplier of the Year.
As the company moved through the late 1970s and 1980s, the next chapter would be defined by continued technical development, diversification and the ability to adapt to change.
G. O. Carlson continued building on its expertise in specialty stainless steel plate. During this period, the company supplied material for a number of demanding applications, including the space shuttle program, the B-1 bomber, the Tokamak Fusion Reactor and the Fast Flux Test Facility.
Some projects were remarkable simply because of their scale. G. O. Carlson produced what were described at the time as the world’s largest stainless steel plates.
One measured 2 inches thick by 184 inches wide by 451 inches long, while another measured 2 inches by 179 inches by 461 inches. Each weighed more than 49,000 pounds and was produced for Argonne National Laboratories.
Carlson Invar 36 plate also found an unusual application in the construction of large telescopes deployed in the desert of Saudi Arabia.
The company was evolving in other ways as well. In 1979, G. O. Carlson acquired a controlling interest in Precision Shaft Corporation in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a manufacturer of frequency-matched golf shafts. Five years later, in 1984, the company purchased Plastic Piping Systems, headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey. The company supplied industrial plastic pipe, valves and fittings through a network of distribution centers east of the Mississippi River. Both businesses were later sold.
By the end of the 1980s, G. O. Carlson had traveled a long way from Gunard Carlson’s original coat-pocket office. The company had expanded its technical capabilities, entered new markets, weathered difficult events and continued looking for opportunities to grow.
ELECTRALLOY'S THOMAS BUCKLEY TO MAKE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT SMR CONFERENCE
Thomas Buckely, Electralloy’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, will be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming SMR North American Stainless & Special Alloys Conference which is being held in Nashville November 2026. This is the fifth edition of this must-attend industry event.
Buckley will share his observations on the current and future outlook of the stainless and nickel alloy market. Buckley will also participate in group discussion on the topic.
The conference, which is organized by SMR Events in cooperation with World Steel Dynamics, brings together decisionmakers from across the stainless steel and special alloys supply chain to exchange market intelligence, discuss the North American and global outlook, and address the issues shaping the business in 2026 and beyond.
The 2025 conference set a new benchmark with around 350 delegates from 165 companies and is expected to have another great turnout this year.
Electralloy specializes in the manufacture of stainless steel, nickel alloys, copper-nickel alloys, and high temperature alloys in the form of ingot, billlet, slabs, bar, plate, coil, rod, weld wire and remelt pigs.
JOIN US IN 'BEER CITY' FOR ICI: BOOTH #123
Electralloy will be exhibiting at The Investment Casting Institute’s 73rd annual Technical Conference and Equipment Exposition held October 25th – 28th in Grand Rapids, MI. Join us in Beer City!
We’ll be in Booth #123.
Please stop by to discuss the benefits that Electralloy’s specialty master alloy products can deliver for your toughest, most corrosive applications.
Electralloy representatives at the show will include:
Mike Obenauf, Midwest Regional Sales Manager
Craig Galloway, Western Regional Sales Manager
The ICI conference continues to be the industry's primary forum for advancing the science, engineering, and practical application of investment casting across aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and industrial markets.
Electralloy is a custom producer of specialty & stainless steel alloys. When your castings have no room for error, the metal truly makes the difference.
