1870s
Exline Inc. is a family-owned, 6th generation business founded in 1872 by a skilled blacksmith named Robert Warren Exline who worked under a shade tree with forge and hammer.
He helped keep things like cattle drives, gold miners and westward-bound wagons rolling along.
Robert had two sons, William George and Fred C. Exline. In 1915, the world continued to become even more industrialized, so William set up the first brick-and-mortar “shop” in Kipp, Kan., to handle the growing demands on engineering and repair services.
Each generation of Exline would also move forward with changing times, becoming a leading provider of repair, manufacturing and technical industrial services headquartered in Salina, Kan., serving customers in many areas around the world as well as at home.
1920s to 1940s
In the 1920s the “Exline Tractor Shop” entered the gas and oil industry, which was part of this new era but one that would grow faster than a locomotive.
During that time, William George Exline, Jr., took the reins from his father and not only continued to grow but overcame setbacks and rebuilt the business after an explosion in 1943 destroyed much of the shop.
Once back in business, the gas, oil and energy sector would remain a longtime area of dedicated, specialized focus for the family-owned business.
1950s to 1960s
In the late ‘50s, the 4th generation of the Exline family started to join the ranks. Brothers Jerry, Robert and Douglas were all graduates from Kansas State University and came aboard as business leaders during this time span.
Post World War II was a golden era for the U.S. economy fueling increased mechanization as well as growth in nearly all modern industries at the time, and Exline advanced its capabilities and forward-thinking in turn.
Today
After the triple retirement of the Exline brothers in 1994, the company was passed on to a 5th generation, Robert William Exline Jr. (Rob), who recently served as CEO and now his son Will (Robert William Exline III), is serving as the 6th generation CEO.
From wagon trains to gas and oil to servicing today’s modern power plants, energy infrastructure, plastic compounding and industrial operations, Exline has made history by gearing up for the future of what’s next.
Exline has recently enhanced its already prominent repair, manufacturing and technical field services with robotics; the company fabricates logic-driven smart devices to replace higher-maintenance mechanical ones; and Exline helps keep the power on at today’s newest AI data centers and facilities.