Our Story

FRB Machine, Inc. began in 1968 when Fred Brosnahan decided to take a leap of faith and open his own shop after 15 years working at the Emlenton Tire Shop on Main Street.

Fred’s grandfather had owned a small wagon shop in Emlenton, and that legacy of craftsmanship inspired him to start a machine shop of his own. The first location of FRB Machine was an annex off Emco Mills, at the end of Main Street. Fred started out with just a few machines—an engine lathe, a turret lathe, and a Bridgeport milling machine—and a strong desire to learn. With the help of several skilled part-time machinists, he built a reputation for quality and reliability.

By 1970, FRB had outgrown its first space and moved into the former Ford Dealership building on River Avenue in Emlenton. As the business grew, Fred’s three teenage sons joined in, working during their summer breaks.

In 1976, Fred’s son Mark officially joined the company after earning his degree in Business Administration. Mark began reaching out to companies that needed reliable machining partners, helping FRB expand its customer base and reputation.

The early 1980s marked another milestone. FRB purchased its first CNC turret lathe, ushering in a new era of precision and efficiency. Then, in 1986, the business moved again, this time to the former Sportspal Canoe building and property, located on College Street. By 1990, FRB had fully transitioned to this location and added its first CNC vertical milling center. The College Street location is where FRB stands today.

Since then, FRB has continued to grow, with three major building additions bringing the total workspace to about 9,000 square feet.

Today, FRB Machine remains a proud family-owned and operated business. Mark’s sons, Jason and Matt, joined the company in 2003 and 2007, respectively, and now lead the business into the next generation, continuing the Brosnahan tradition of precision machining, innovation, and hometown service.