Since 1983, PBC Linear has manufactured precision linear motion solutions in Roscoe, IL.
When company President and CEO Robert Schroeder founded the company, Rockford, IL (about 20 minutes south of Roscoe), had the highest unemployment in the nation.
The company started with a single bearing. Now, PBC remains a family operation, but one that has grown to more than 225 employees who manufacture more than 40,000 different products, everything from stainless steel and ceramic-coated shafting to PTFE lined bearings, lead screws, mechanical actuators, and linear guides.
According to Tom Schroeder, Vice President, COO (and Robert’s son), PBC makes pretty much anything that moves.
In a single year, PBC will cut tens of thousands of pounds of steel, stainless steel and aluminum sourced from around the world.
Making in America isn’t simply an ethics decision for Tom, but a representation of how Amazon has changed the market. If you want something in two days, you can’t make it overseas.
With 40,000 products in the catalog, PBC’s parts have wound up in some interesting applications in so many industries. They can be found everywhere from Disney rides to the battle field. But for Tom, it's important that they do it in America.
The future remains bright for PBC as the company looks forward to launching new American-made products.
Made in America is a new show from IEN that recognizes U.S.-based companies who remain committed to manufacturing in the United States.
IEN gained exclusive access to tour some incredible facilities in the nation, and speak with the key figures crucial to the companies' success.
The show is now in its second season. To recommend your company for an upcoming episode, email Tom Lynch at tom@ien.com.
