Sadler Machine Company was founded in 1956 by Roy and Myrna Sadler. The company's reputation as a machine shop specializing in repair and small run production machining grew over the years, and today it is one of the largest and most respected of its kind in the upper Midwest. In 1974, the Sadler's founded a second company, Sadler Power Train, which services customers in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin as a distributor of light, medium and heavy duty truck parts with stores in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque and Waterloo, Iowa. Starting out providing driveline, differential and transmission parts to its customers; Sadler Power Train has grown to provide parts for suspensions, brakes, power take-offs, hydraulics, clutches, electrical systems and much more.
In 1995, both companies underwent an expansion when Sadler Machine Company moved out of the building it shared with Sadler Power Train and into a new 45,000 square foot climate controlled manufacturing facility located on a 6-acre site in southwest Cedar Rapids. This move allowed Sadler Machine Company to more than double its capacity and employment of skilled machinists. With the expansion, the company was now able to better serve its customer base, and the business grew rapidly to the level it is at today. In the summer of 2005 Sadler Machine Co. expanded with a 15,000 square foot addition to the machining facility.
In 2008, Sadler Power Train was forced to move out of their downtown facility by the flooding of the Cedar River that summer. With the help of many employees and volunteers cleaning out the old building and salvaging what was left to move, Sadler Power Train moved into a 46,000 square foot facility on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids. This new facility gives Sadler Power Train the opportunity the keep pace with its current and future growth. In 2019 Sadler Power Train experienced what is called derecho, which is an intense storm with straight line winds and rain. The building sustained major damage with winds speeds clocked well over 100 mph punishing the west side of the building. With this a 19,000 square foot addition was created to once again keep up with expansion. The facility now boasts 65,000 square feet and a brand new gear ship area.
Sadler Power Train has been family owned and operated since 1974. John is joined by his two sons, Nate and Adam. The future continues to be bright for Sadler Power Train by sticking to the principles of what the business was built on, quality products and great customer service.
