Morrill Industries, Inc. was founded in 1953 by Leelan Morrill under the name of Mike’s Welding. Leelan (nicknamed Mike by his brother) specialized in the welding and repair of farm equipment in the local area of California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.

Initially Mike’s Welding was operated as a one man enterprise. Like many new companies, the early years were filled with both excitement and challenges. His dedication to quality and service would be the cornerstone of his family’s future.

The years passed quickly. Leelan’s reputation for quality and service grew, and the demand for his services increased. As Mike’s Welding expanded Leelan brought members of his immediate family into the business as active participants.

In the Early 1970’s the company expanded its service to include irrigation equipment design and manufacturing, which accounted for 80% of the companies revenue by 1978 and by 1980 accounted for 100%.

By 1984, Mike’s Welding was well established as a quality manufacturer of irrigation equipment. Leelan Morrill was proud of his hard work and the many years it took to bring about his hard earned reality. It was time to take his company to the next level. Leelan knew that his company had the potential to become an industry leader. He also knew that it would be others in his family that would take Mike’s Welding to that next level. Leelan had instilled the ethics of commitment to quality and hard work into his children from an early age, and he knew that they were ready for the challenge. Leelan was ready to step aside to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

In 1985 four members of Leelan’s immediate family formed a general partnership and incorporated the business as Morrill Industries, Inc. The name of Mike’s Welding was still used as an active “dba”.