Webb-Stiles Company History | Decades of Growth and Custom Conveyor Solutions

At Webb-Stiles, we’ve spent decades building more than just conveyors — we’ve built a reputation. The Webb-Stiles Company history began in the 1950s with a vision to design and manufacture custom conveyor systems that power American industry. What started as a small Ohio-based partnership has grown into a trusted conveyor manufacturer serving industries like automotive, heavy manufacturing, finishing, and assembly. As demand grew, so did we — expanding into Alabama to increase capacity and better serve our customers. Today, the Webb-Stiles Company is known for engineering innovative, hands-on conveyor solutions that meet complex material handling needs with precision and reliability.

Curious how conveyor systems evolved?

Learn about the history of conveyor systems—and why Webb-Stiles stays at the forefront of custom material handling solutions.

Read the History of Conveyor Systems

Black and white photo of Joe Webb and Don Stiles in the original Cleveland Flats facility

Colorized photo of Joe Webb and Don Stiles working in the original Cleveland Flats facility

1950s – Foundations and Vision

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1956

Joe Webb and Don Stiles establish the partnership that evolves into the Webb-Stiles Company, initially serving as sales representatives for stock conveyor equipment. Recognizing a demand for custom conveyors and material handling devices, they begin engineering specialized equipment.

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1959

The partnership is incorporated as the Webb-Stiles Company.

1960s – Foundations and First Partnerships

Exterior view of the original Webb-Stiles building in the Cleveland Flats with vintage cars parked out front

Aerial view of Webb-Stiles Company facility and surrounding area on Liverpool Drive, Valley City, circa 1969–1970

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1963

The company acquires a 3,200-square-foot building in the Cleveland Flats, focusing on fabrication and manufacturing.

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1968

Webb-Stiles acquires a 14-acre site in a new industrial park in Valley City.

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1969

A new 67,000-square-foot facility is constructed at the Valley City site, equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing technology to enhance productivity and innovation.

1970s – Growth and Expansion

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1970s

Webb-Stiles experiences phenomenal growth, expanding the Valley City facilities with increased plant capacity and new engineering offices, becoming almost entirely self-sufficient.

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1977

The company ventures into the Sunbelt market by establishing the Southern Subsidiary, Webb-Stiles of Alabama, in Gadsden, with a 69,000-square-foot facility on a 32-acre site. This expansion enables entry into the global market.

Ductwork and framing during Valley City office addition, 1970s expansion at Webb-Stiles

Interior construction of new Webb-Stiles engineering offices in Valley City during 1970s expansion

1980s – Southern Growth

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1988

Webb-Stiles of Alabama undergoes significant expansion, becoming a fully integrated manufacturing plant with over 138,000 square feet of facilities. Acquisitions of equipment and machinery enhance production efficiency and maintain product quality standards.

Alabama Facility Growth in the Webb-Stiles Company History

These photos highlight a major milestone in the Webb-Stiles Company history — our 1980s expansion into Alabama and the transformation of the facility into a 138,000-square-foot manufacturing hub.

Sepia photo of the army depot building that became the original Webb-Stiles of Alabama facility in 1977

View of the two original buildings acquired by Webb-Stiles of Alabama in the 1980s, including the depot building and long office plant structure.

View of the original army depot building during early Alabama expansion, before being fully absorbed into the plant

View of the Alabama facility during 1980s expansion showing office on the left and depot on the right, with parking foundation visible

Front of the Webb-Stiles Alabama facility in the 1980s during expansion, with future parking area under construction

Webb-Stiles Alabama office building prior to plant expansion and depot merger

Exterior view of Alabama facility in 1977 showing the newly joined brick buildings under one roof during expansion.

Interior view of Webb-Stiles of Alabama's facility during 1977 expansion as two WWII-era buildings were unified under a single roof.

Front view of Webb-Stiles of Alabama’s finished facility with two-story offices and large warehouse.

1990s – Digital Shift

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1991

Started using AutoCAD to create drawings, transitioning from hand-drawn layouts to the digital age.

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1998

Webb-Stiles of Alabama completes their expansion of the second floor by adding engineering and purchasing offices, creating an additional 7,300 sq ft of space.

Row of manual drafting desks at Webb-Stiles before transitioning to AutoCAD

2010s – Precision Investment

New industrial laser being delivered to Webb-Stiles Valley City facility with plant superintendent observing

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2010

Webb-Stiles marked a milestone by acquiring their first laser machine in Valley City, initiating its journey in precision manufacturing with the inaugural steel cut on April 2nd.

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2015

The acquisition of a second laser machine in Valley City further enhanced our cutting capabilities, with its first operation taking place on December 15th.

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2016

Webb-Stiles of Alabama marked a major advancement by acquiring its first laser machine. This investment extended our precision cutting capabilities to the Southern Division.

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2018

Expanding our technological arsenal, a waterjet machine was introduced in Valley City, executing its first precision cut on May 8th.

2020s – Digital Transformation

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2022

Webb-Stiles begins transitioning to a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, bringing technology and processes up to date.

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2023

Webb-Stiles broadened its operational capacity in Valley City by constructing a canvas-roofed, permanent storage facility, optimizing unused land on the premises for enhanced storage solutions.

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2024

Webb-Stiles continued to invest in advanced technology with the addition of a new computer-controlled press brake, along with gantry robot systems installed at both the Valley City and Alabama facilities—further enhancing precision and automation company-wide.

Gantry-mounted robotic welder operating on a steel conveyor frame at Webb-Stiles

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