Puget Sound Sheet Metal Works Company was founded in 1900 by Edward Hite, Robert S. Raven, and Joseph W. Callahan and incorporated in 1902 as Puget Sound Sheet Metal Works, Inc. (PSSMW) by Raven, Hite, and David Bowen. Bowen led the company until his death in 1944; his son Harry was also on the Board (eventually becoming president) until shortly before his death in 1956. PSSMW began as a sheet metal and roofing company, but over the course of its history the company was involved a wide variety of projects, including the manufacture of stainless steel brewing equipment beginning in the 1930s and special train cars to transport 747 parts. During World War I and World War II, the company produced war-related materials such as lifeboats and aircraft parts.
In its early years, PSSMW was located at 1328 Western Avenue (1900-1905), Railroad, Wall, and Elliot Avenues (1909-1918: in one building 1905-1909, and in a new building after the first one was destroyed by fire in 1909), and 3631 E. Marginal Way (1918-1945). During World War II, the company also established aircraft part manufacturing facilities at First Avenue S. and Spokane Street, and Airport Way and Hardy Street. In 1949 the company opened a new plant at 3670 E. Marginal Way after the old one was destroyed by fire.
After Harry Bowen’s resignation as president in 1955, his son-in-law Gordon Anderson became president and changed the company’s name to Puget Sound Fabricators, Inc (by that point, sheet metal was only a small percentage of PSF’s business). Although Anderson remained president, Bowen’s death in 1956 led to a struggle with Pacific National Bank for control of the company and financial problems during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Anderson regained control of PSF from the bank, but sold his shares in the company to Jim Beardsley shortly thereafter in 1964; Beardsley became president and majority owner. He established a new plant and offices at 65 S. Horton Street in 1965, which was followed by another name change to PSF Industries, Inc in 1967. In 1991, the mechanical contracting division became a separate company called PSF Mechanical, headed by Warren Beardsley. 1995 brought changes in company leadership as Jim Critchlow became president and CEO of PSFM and Stanley R. Miller purchased PSFI from Jim Beardsley.
(adapted from The First One Hundred Years: History of PSF Industries, Inc. and PSF Mechanical, Inc., by Nile Thompson)
From the guide to the PSF Industries, Inc. and PSF Mechanical, Inc. Records, 1900-2003, (Museum of History & Industry Sophie Frye Bass Library)
