History
For over 100 years, Dalton Electric Heating Co., Inc., has manufactured industrial heaters. Today, Dalton’s patented Watt-Flex® Cartridge Heaters and Diff-Therm ® Platen Heaters are used throughout the world in manufacturing industries such as the aerospace, automotive, composites, plastics, and many other industries.
We moved to our present headquarters located in Ipswich, MA, in 1989. In response to our growth, we doubled, our manufacturing floor space in 1995, and in 2000, we completed an impressive two-story addition that houses both our office and manufacturing.
1920
Dalton
William H. Dalton starts Dalton Electric Company an appliance heating company based in Salem, Massachusetts
1922
Churchill Begins
Walter A. Churchill partners with W. H. Dalton as part owner, Treasurer of Dalton heads Eng. Design
1923
Electric Toaster
William H. Dalton patents electrical heater – patent 1,548,305 & 1,680,768 filed March 23, 1923 and July 1, 1924
1923
Dalton Electric Heating Co., Inc
Letters of inc. filed 12/28/1923
Dalton Electric Heating Company incorporates
William H. Dalton, Henry L. Stoughton Ethelbert Chapman appliance heaters
1926
Lower Heating Cost introduced
Walter A. Churchill written up in Electrical World Vol 87 pg. 464 documenting that Dalton’s heated rolls save corrugated board maker $2,000/yr.
1929
Toaster Patent sold
William H. Dalton sells toaster patents to Electric Toaster, Inc. of Syracuse, NY – div. of Prosperity Co. Salem, MA
1966
Diff-Therm®
Diff-Therm® platen heater – patented 3,275,801 W.A. Churchill’s novel idea swages tubular into casting. Vacuum pump users flock to the new design.
1972
John Churchill
W.A. Churchill passes and wills business to son John Churchill, recent Tufts grad who worked in the business since age 22
1978
Watt-Flex®
J.W. Churchill patents Split Sheath heater design Watt-Flex® 4,125,761 – the revolutionary design prevents bore seizure and last longer
1978
Beverly, MA
Company moves from small shop in Salem to former NE Dive Club in Beverly, MA
1980
Dalton acquired
Southport Enterprises acquires Dalton from J.W. Churchill
1983
Whitney Hired
Eli Whitney is hired to create and lead sales team. Doubles business in first 4 years.
1988
Dalton acquired
TSA acquires Dalton from Southport. TSA brings stable investment in people, sales, and capacity.
1989
Ipswich, MA
Company moves to our current site and World Head Quarters with plenty of room to expand and grow into.
2003
1M heater
Dalton makes 1 millionth heater in 2003, the next million will be done in almost half the time.
2005
Office Expansion
Two story addition houses new offices and expanding manufacturing footprint.
2006
Diff-Therm®
Diff-Therm® turns 40 years old. Dalton continues to drive vacuum diffusion pump sales.
2008
Watt-Flex®
Watt-Flex® celebrates 30 years of reducing cost of heating and warranted removal.
2019
Whitney Retires
Eli retires after 33 years. Steady hand and driving force delivers astounding 6.6% CAGR over career.