The Vernon Tool Company was founded in 1930 by two Mobil Oil Corporation executives who obtained a lease on all the Mobil shops and facilities in Vernon, California. They then contracted with Mobil to perform all shop and field work for Mobil.

At the request of Mobil In 1937, Mr. Ward Blackburn was invited to join the company as managing partner. He commenced a program of developing and marketing proprietary products for the oil industry including shale shakers, pumping units, tool joints and desanders. He subsequently purchased the Vernon Tool Company, as well as the assets of the Western Engine Company, an early manufacturer of large gas and diesel engines.

3 Generations of Blackburns at Vernon Tool Company

Ward Blackburn

Jack & Bill Blackburn

Bill, Jim & Bob Blackburn

In 1941 Vernon Tool was unable to negotiate a suitable shop lease and operating contract with Mobil and, upon their expiration, purchased property and moved to Alhambra, California. During World War II the company was principally engaged in government machining and assembly work.

Upon conclusion of the War, the company rekindled its affiliation with various manufacturers serving the oil & gas business in Long Beach and Signal Hill. The owner, Ward Blackburn, with the assistance of his sons, Bill and Jack, developed and acquired the manufacturing rights of several different product lines including the Vernon Hydraulic Tube Expanding Machine, Greenwood Quick-closing (Emergency Shutoff) Valves, and the Vernon Pipe Cutting Pantograph Machine.

The company continued to grow and in 1974 purchased property and relocated to its current facility in Oceanside, California. Shortly thereafter, Jack Blackburn's three sons, Bill, Bob, and Jim purchased the company. They remain active in day-to-day operations today.

Since that time sales have ranged from $3-5 million per year and the company has remained profitable throughout many oil & gas and energy industry cycles. The company employs about 35 full time employees and occupies a 26,000 sq. ft. manufacturing shop where all sales, engineering, and production activities occur.

A staff of engineers oversees all software programming and mechanical design responsibilities with the assistance of an internal network running AUTOCAD. Full time service technicians reside in various locations nationwide and are responsible for on site startup and service of all Vernon products. The sales staff includes people for each particular product line who coordinate sales through a national network of manufacturer's representatives.

Manufacturing resources include a complete machine shop for turning, milling, and grinding operations, a certified welding area, and electro-mechanical assembly and testing areas. A shop superintendent and area foreman are responsible for Inventory management, quality control, and production scheduling.