Claude Ahrens President Miracle Equipment Co.

Warren Jamison President Jamison, Inc.

Grant Jamison Vice-President Jamison, Inc.

Miracle Equipment Co. and Jamison, Inc. Merge

A merger between Miracle Equipment Company of Grinnell, Iowa and Jamison, Inc., of Los Angeles, California, was announced in Iowa by officials of both firms. The announcement was made jointly by Claude Ahrens, president of Miracle Equipment, and Warren Jamison, president of Jamison, Inc.

Among those attending the news conference to offer congratulations were Roger Jepsen, Iowa lieutenant governor; Sal Prezioso of Washington, D.C., president of the National Recreation and Parks Association and Ernest Hayes, chairman of the Iowa Development Commission.

Ahrens also disclosed at the news conference that Miracle is constructing two large additions to its Grinnell plant. The additional production facilities will result in a 20 per cent increase in the number of Miracle employees within a few months. Miracle recently acquired 34 acres of land adjacent to its original 26 acre site to provide room for expansion.

Miracle, with sales totaling some $6 milion a year, is a national leader in the manufacture and distribution of park, recreation and playground equipment, stadium and auditorium seating and other equipment. The company has developed an exclusive formula for reinforced fiber glass components in its park and playground equipment, in contrast to other manufacturers, in the field, that use only steel parts.

Jamison, Inc., manufactures steel playground equipment and athletic field equipment. Its products are distributed nationally and its sales volume is $2 million a year. The combined sales of the two firms will approach $8 million a year, Ahrens said, which "will make Miracle Equipment a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of park and playground equipment."

Jamison, Inc., was founded in 1925 by Robert W. Jamison, father of the current company president. The firm has grown in size to a 30,000 square foot, three building complex on a four acre site at 8800 South Mettler Street in Los Angeles.

Miracle Equipment was founded in 1927, which means the two will have a total of 86 years of experience in the manufacture of park, athletic and recreation equipment.

The two companies will retain their corporate names and officers. Miracle products will be warehoused in Los Angeles for immediate delivery in western states and Jamison products will be warehoused in Grinnell for immediate delivery in the Midwest and eastern United States.

Illinois Parks 49 March/ April 1970