Lawton & World War II

Lawton has been very versatile and sensitive to the changes happening in the world around them.  They are doing it currently as they have in the past, such as designing and manufacturing products for World War II.

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Lawton, like most other companies at this time, began manufacturing products for the war effort.  Such products included ship propellers, submarine parts, and hydraulic shell banders. Through building a machine to band artillery shells, Lawton assisted in enhancing the accuracy and range of guns used on American ships during World War II.

In the 1950’s, Lawton had three basic product lines: their power transmission line consisting of gears, pulleys, and sheaves, their line of roll wrapping machines, and their plastic and rubber molding machines. The economy in the United States was growing very rapidly post-war because most of the world was relying on U.S. production of industrial goods. Because of this, many of Lawton’s customers were conducting business internationally. As countries began to rebuild financially, demand for products like toilet paper increased. As a result, demand for the Lawton Roll Wrapper went international.

Lawton has come a long way and it is intriguing to see the kind of products that came out of the doors during the 1940’s. This demonstrates how versatile Lawton was to the changes going on at the time.  Lawton continues to adjust to the ever changing world around them, just as they did in the 40’s.