My previous article from 09.21.22 I announced my disappointment that Pioneer Die Casting Company closed ” Pioneer Diecasters Inc Closing ” In 2012, I had lunch with the owner of Pioneer, Carl H. Spahr, and he detailed much of the history he has had at Pioneer Die Casting Company since he started working there.

They were open over 80 years ago and incorporated in the state of California for over 70 years. Carl’s father started doing business as Pioneer Diecasters the 1930s and according to public records, he incorporated as Pioneer Diecasters, Inc on February 23, 1949.

Mr. Spahr worked closely with Lefty Harris around that time in the 30s. Lefty started Arrow Die Casting Company later. Carl started working at Pioneer in the 1940s or 1950s. They were primarily operating in the aluminum die castings business.

During our lunch, in June of 2012 Carl said he was in his early 70s. Pioneer Diecasters company employed about 17 people at the time. He had a very lean manufacturing operation. Carl said he visits the plant two or three days a week. He has a good manager that has been with him over 20 years and he runs everything. Carl said over the many years of running the company he has had issues with legal labor disputes in the 50’s, problems with the IRS in the 60’s and litigations from disgruntled employees in the 80’s. These were difficult times on occasion, but Carl said he still loved owning Pioneer Diecasters, Inc.

Pioneer Diecasters 4209 Chevy Chase Drive, L.A., CA 90039

I am saddened to see the loss of another die casting company competitor in California.

Kinetic Die Casting Company, Inc.
6918 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, CA. 91605
sales@kineticdc.com 818-982-9200