Joe Lodor founded Commerce Grinding in 1976 with one Blanchard rotary grinder and one surface grinder. As a one-man operation, Joe was the outside sales manager during the day and the chief machine operator at night in a small rented space approximately one mile from downtown Dallas.
A year later as the business began to grow, Tim Johnson was hired as the company’s first employee right out of high school. Since then, Tim honed his expertise in trade skills, training, and business management to serve and supervise in all areas of work at Commerce Grinding.
In 2007, Joe Lodor consolidated his ownership of Commerce Grinding, Superior Saw, and Commerce Plating into Lodor Enterprises, Inc. which continues to do business as Commerce Grinding Company. Mr. Lodor then transferred his ownership of Lodor Enterprises, Inc. to his employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
In mid-2014, Lodor Enterprises, Inc. purchased Grinding Specialties, Inc., a corporation formed in 1980 that brings machines & experienced personnel to perform gun drilling, deep hole drilling, honing, and long-bar centerless grinding.
Joe Lodor passed away on October 17, 2015, but his legacy continues. Today, first-hire Tim Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, and the staff includes 60 professional craftsmen and support staff. Over 50% of the owner-employees have been with the company for over ten years. Plus, an extensive training program is in place for new owner-employees. So the consistent, reliable experience our customers depend on today will serve their needs throughout the 21st century and after.
Competitive pricing, fast turn-around, and the highest quality work continue to keep Commerce Grinding going and growing as one of the most extensive grinding facilities in the United States serving all industries, including aerospace, oil & gas, wind, steam & gas turbines, aircraft and other high precision/high tech manufacturers and suppliers.