American Exporter Industrial

Reypo Corp., 9900 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, began manufacturing the Model Master Woodworker combination machine in 1946. The following year they introduced a ball vise positioner for a Wilton baby bullet vise (identified as a Wilton in the 1947 ad cited below). And in 1948 they introduced a 15-inch drill press. Reypo was one of many manufacturers who developed new products in the aftermath of World War II. Competition from other such firms and from war-surplus products killed off most such businesses and Reypo was among the many who failed. Additional details of the firm and its officers can be found in this account of a lawsuit and appeal.

Information Sources

• 1946 issue of The SAE Journal (vol. 54, p. 38). "Formerly owner of the Henry A. Powis Machinery Co., Santa Monica, Calif., H. A. POWIS is now president of the Reypo Corp., Los Angeles, manufacturers of machine tools."
• American Exporter Industrial, Vol. 141, No. 4, Oct. 1947, Pg. S91
• 1948 Machinery (p. 188). "Reypo Drill Press—The 15-inch drill press illustrated is a recent addition to the line of machines manufactured by the Reypo Corporation, 5751 W. 98th St., Los Angeles 45, Cal. A depth stop which operates..."
• From a 1948 issue of Modern Machine Shop (vol. 21 p. 224). "H. A. Powis, president of the Reypo Corporation, Los Angeles, has announced the recent consolidation of the main office and factory in a new building at 5751 West 98th Street, Los Angeles 45, California."
• A brief writeup in March 1947 Popular Science shows this firm's ball vise with enclosed base.
• 1957 Who's Who in Commerce and Industry, vol. 10 p. 876. "Powis, Henry Aaron, engr.; b. Gainsville, N.Y., June 21, 1889; s. Henry and Hester (Smith) P.; student Ohio No. U., 1909. Rochester Mech. Inst., 1910; m. Sara Field Collins. Feb. 6, 1936. Chief designer Columbia Postal Supply Co., 1911-14: pres. Radiant Auto Heater Co., Inc., 1914-15; sales engr. Betts Machine Co., 1915-22; sec., mgr. Comet Laundries, Inc., 1922- 25; see. Am. Fgn. Trading Corp., 1925-28; engring., sales,... Los Angeles 49. Office: 1615 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles 24."
• 1960 Who's Who in the West has a writeup on Henry A. Powis, including "... Co., 1942; v.p., dir., Pacific Aviation, Inc., 1942-45; pres., dir. Reypo Corp. 1946-48 Prof. engr., Cal Mem. Am. Soc. Tool Engrs., Soc. Automotive Engrs., A.*.M., Am. Ordnance Assn., Inst. of Aeronautical Sciences, Republican Club; Beverly hills, Author: loose foot, 1930. Contbr. profl. jours. Home; 11901 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 49. Office 1615 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles 24."
• Google Books search results with snippet views Reypo quick acting vise