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Task Force Tips, Inc., originally Fire Task Force Innovations, began in 1971. Its foundation was a principal discovered by, Chief Clyde H. McMillan. Chief McMillan was Chief of Fire Task Force, a Civil Defense FD in Gary, Indiana. The department was a supplement to the Gary FD. When the Gary Department needed backup, Fire Task Force was always there.
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The problem firefighters have been constantly confronted with is proper water flow. Chief McMillan knew that constant pressure was needed to maintain proper flow. The principle of automatic pressure control is as simple as the common mousetrap. Chief McMillan presented his idea of automatic nozzle pressure to the manufacturers in the fire fighting industry, but his reception was less than promising. Eventually, one manufacturer saw the light, and decided this was, a FABULOUS idea. They quickly claimed to have been concurrently working on it for many years and requested Chief McMillan to settle for a consulting fee! Chief McMillan accepted for a very simple reason – – he was out gunned, and to not accept meant he would receive absolutely nothing.
After one year, the irritation of what had happened continued to grow. During September of 1971, Chief McMillan decided, if you can’t join them, then compete. Task Force Tips started out in the McMillan family basement. Had it not been for the Chief’s confidence in himself, his product, and his family, Task Force Tips would have become a small business statistic. The basic principle that sets TFT apart from all others today was established very early in the company’s history . . . SERVICE – SERVICE – SERVICE. The standard for service that Chief McMillan set for TFT has been maintained and improved upon as the years have gone by.
May of 1976 saw the construction of our first facility in Valparaiso, Indiana, and increased sales brought about the capability of a salary, enabling Chief McMillan to leave U.S. Steel where he had been employed as an engineer for twenty-one-years. The plant was a success and newer equipment allowed more production to be done. In 1980, TFT purchased its first computerized piece of production equipment. This ushered in an entirely new era of quality, service and profitability.
The growth curve of sales, new products, and profits grew steadily through the fall of 1982 when personal disaster struck. Chief McMillan died suddenly during a routine medical test. Fortunately, he had kept his wife and two sons very involved in all aspects of the business. This ability to delegate proved invaluable during the years subsequent to his death.
Since 1982, the company has continued to grow steadily. Projected sales for the fiscal year of 1986 were three times the level of 1982. Complete automation of the company has taken place, the sales and engineering forces have doubled, capital equipment has been acquired, three new products were released and in the late fall of 1985, ground breaking took place for our new facility which encompasses 40,000 square feet under one roof. This had tripled the size of TFT.
TFT moved into its present facility in April of 1987. We are continually adding additional computerized machines and support equipment. Additional personnel have been hired for our production and assembly divisions with an outlook for additional employees in the future. We have sales in all parts of the United States and over thirty (30) foreign countries.
In 1992, after an extended illness Betty McMillan passed away. She was a very kind and compassionate woman who left a lasting impression on whoever she came in contact with. The void that was left by her passing will never be filled.
As the years passed, our space needs have grown along with our product lines. In the spring of 1993 TFT introduced a totally new concept in a large volume water delivery appliance called CROSSFIRE. The production of this product pushed the space needs beyond what was available. On April 30, 1993, construction started on an 18,000 square foot addition and just three and half months later, was completed and in full operation. Several new products have required another 36,000 square foot addition and acquisition of a separate 90,000 square foot facility.
Today, TFT is moving full speed into Wireless Remote Control Apparatus equipment. We are finding that our company standards are setting industry standards for fire fighter safety.
It all started in 1968 on a Sunday morning with a paper napkin and a red felt pen. Where it will end has yet to be put on paper.
