Almost every company likes to brag that it has a long and storied history. Trilogy Plastics Inc. just happens to have one that stands out a little more.
The rotomolder was just purchased by Myers Industries Inc. in a major deal that sets up Myers for massive growth and follows up on an acquisition strategy for the company.
While Alliance, Ohio-based Trilogy technically is 34 years old, it was created from roots that stretch back more than 100 years.
"Originally named Old King Cole Inc. and based in Canton, Ohio, the firm has a colorful history that began more than 100 years ago," Bill Bregar wrote for Plastics News back in 2005. "Old King Cole became well known for making paper mache figures of advertising icons like Mr. Peanut and Nipper, the RCA dog famous for hearing 'his master's voice.' The company got into rotomolding in the 1960s."
(The photo up at the top is then-owners Bruce Frank and Stephen Osborn with a Nipper model.)
During World War II, Trilogy was a key supplier in U.S. bomber production.