W.C. Coleman® surrounded
himself with talented people, including his son Sheldon who had a
degree in mechanical engineering and firsthand production experience
working in the company's Canadian plant.
As markets evaporated due
to widespread rural electrification, the younger Coleman® lobbied for
further product diversification. The company began turning out the
gas floor furnaces and oil space heaters that would enable it to survive
the Depression. Its manufacturing capabilities were now considerable.
Coleman® was said to have the largest number of working metal lathes
west of the Mississippi. And they would soon see heavy action.