This firm traces its roots to the N. P. Friis foundry established just south of Racine by Nels Peter Friis. Friis died before the US engagement in World War I but the business was continued by his sons Peter, Nels and Chris. By the early 1920s the firm was known as the Friis & Miller Co. In 1927 the business was purchased by Mr. Herman Noll, who changed the name to Famco Machine Co.

N. P. Friis began by making bone cutters for poultry, but the business eventually became a machine tool maker specializing in drill presses, and eventually, presses and shears.

According to the company, in 1968 they sold their drill presses and machine tool products to Continental Machine of Minnesota, better known as Do-All.

Information Sources

• A correspondent writes, "My grandfather & great grandfather Nels P. Friis (pronounced FREEZE) started FAMCO in Racine Wisconsin in the early 1920's. This was preceeded by the N.P. Friis foundry located in what was then Lakeside, a small area just south of Racine proper. They originally made bone cutters for the poultry farmer. My grandfather, great grandfather and great uncles were all involved in these ventures."
• From the Famco website:

  "In 1927, Mr. Herman Noll purchased the then Freeze and Miller Company, forming his new corporation Famco Machine Company. Since then Famco has continued as an American machine tool manufacturer of arbor, air and foot presses as well as power squaring shears."