The Blue Ball Machine Company is one of the county’s oldest running businesses, that has grown along with the rise of America’s industrial might. It was over 130 years ago, in 1884, that
Peter Shirk opened his doors for business. Peter was a visionary who hoped to attract more industry to the area, so he established the place as a machine shop, foundry, and a pattern shop. In those days, tobacco w
as processed locally right up to its final form in various cigar rolling factories. Peter invented and patented three machines for processing tobacco more efficiently. These machines shredded and cleaned the tobacco, and cut and shaped it for final wrapping into the cigar. Peter additionally built a two-speed Shirk Tractor that was sold through Otto in Philadelphia, from 1909 through 1914.The skills necessary to create these machines were put to good use for his customers. That range of skills continues to define the company today: welding, fabrication, and repair of an almost bewildering array of different types of projects. They have a few items they fabricate in bulk, such as legs for industrial tables, but they do many custom projects: bumpers for big rigs, a machine to put cinnamon on Shady Maple’s buns, custom fasteners for numerous applications, fashioning car parts for pre-1920s cars, and improved braking mechanisms for Amish buggies. Owner Aaron Newswanger says,“I like to say it this way: the smallest thing we’ve done is create a fixture for the artificial insemination of queen bees. The biggest project we’ve worked on is the largest underground tunnel boring project in the US, located in New Jersey. We made jacking sections and other parts for 44 ton sections of pipe bored ¾ of a mile through the ground.” Aaron’s grandfather, J.S. Newswanger (Peter’s son in
law) purchased the business from Peter in 1921. He modernized and expanded their services for industry, becoming the first county business to stock belts and sheaves for replacement of flat belt drives. Aaron’s father George took over the company in 1961 and added machinery sales for Woodworkers, Metal Workers, and Chip Turning. Today they deal in approximately 150 machinery
lines which cover milling, turning, cutting, wood
sawing, shaping, sanding, both new and used. “We used to get a lot more machines up to 50 and 100 years old,” Aaron says. “We still handle those for the guys who like old iron. But we’ve had to shift with the trends; today we also deal with a lot of new machines, or only 5-10 years old.” After more than 130 years, the family is still very involved. The fifth generation is represented by current owner Aaron Newswanger’s sons: Chad Newswanger, a Service Tech, and
Conrad Newswanger in Logistics & Sales. Dawson Horst is the sixth generation, mainly involved in Machine and Parts sales. In the sales building they sell a wide range of power tools, woodworking machinery, metalworking machinery, industrial supplies and fasteners. They stock or order unusual sized bolts and nuts, chains and sprockets, to cordless drills and saws, and much more.”Some people just don’t realize all that we carry!” says Chad. “When they stop by they are surprised by all we have.” The Blue Ball Machine Company, Inc. is part of the story of America’s industrial past, and
continuing present. Whether you are an industrial customer, individual homeowner, or farmer, you will be glad you stopped by their convenient location just down from the intersection of Rt 23 and Rt 322 in Blue Ball. And if they don’t have what you are looking for, they can probably make it for you!
