Our History: The La Follette Way to Fabricate
- 1936 – Established by J. Minton Sharp, Motor Grinding Co. repaired heavy equipment for the coal industry and manufactured mine fans.
- Early 1950’s – Name changed to LaFollette Machine & Tool Company.
- 1962 – Gerald “Jerry” Sharp began manufacturing tipples for the mining industry & repair blocks for Caterpillar®.
- 1977 – Incorporated, began focusing on warranty work for dozers & highlifts. J.Minton Sharp retired.
- 1987 – Jarrett Sharp entered business and two years later, in 1989, La Follette was one the first companies in Tennessee to install 1500 watt CO2 laser. Soon, emphasis shifted to precision laser cutting and metal forming. Gerald Sharp retired in 2014.
- 2015 – The company moved after spending 79 years in downtown La Follette.
- Present – A long history of experience, integrity, and ingenuity.
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