Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent, Becca, and Joe Wortell.
Brent, Becca, and Joe, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Triton Industries was founded by my father Marvin Wortell in 1961. Then I took over the company in the late 80’s and I am the owner. We have made a large number of different products over the years. To name a few, car radio chassis, commercial ice machine parts, vending machine parts, stainless steel food service enclosures, metal combs for Chicago Comb and Brackets for Granite counter tops, Steel Design Solutions.
Becca Wortell, my daughter, started working at Triton 6 years ago and is the third generation. She manages our truck signage customer and works with our engineers quoting and estimating new projects.
Joe Wortell, my son, started his own metal shave stands company called Triton Chicago. We manufacture for them. He has 8 different styles as well as a metal condom dispensing cube.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a constantly changing customer landscape reflecting the global economy. In the 60’s Chicago was the world center of consumer electronic manufacturing. Chicago produced the worlds televisions, phones and radios.
Triton was a part of that. In the 70’s it was transistor circuit boards and in the 80’s we manufactured 3,000 person computer enclosures per day for the booming new computer market. The 90’s became automotive radio enclosures and in the great recession of 2008, most of our work went away to China and Mexico.
We have rebuilt since then and have a diverse mix of industries and customers. We always have to keep adding new customers, products and technologies to stay relevant and in business.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Triton Industries and Triton Chicago story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a diversified Metal Fabrication factory located in Chicago. We are known for our great customer service and quality of our products. We are very proud to have a third generation female running the factory who is interested in manufacturing.
We make anything from metal electrical boxes, to large vending machine parts. We offer metal products to many different industries such as food service, architecture, personal care items like Chicago Comb and Triton Chicago shave stands.
We are also the worlds largest truck signage making company. Our customer supplies the material and we make and assemble thousands of truck signs a day.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think there is always good and bad luck, but we have such an amazing team that we work with everyday to ensure we make great products and serve our customers. We have hit some bad luck at times due to the economy always changing, but we have always come out on top even in the tough times. We have very long term employees ranging from 5 years to 48 years.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1020 N. Kolmar Ave Chicago, IL 60651
- Website: www.tritonindustries.com and www.tritonchicago.com
- Phone: 773-384-3700
- Email: production@tritonmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/triton_chicago
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Triton-Industries-Inc-215779615122422/
- Other: http://etsy.me/2mX6mTy
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
