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Frank Flick -- Flick-Reedy Corporation

Introduction

Picture of Frank Flick -- Flick-Reedy Corporation

Frank S. Flick (1906-1986) graduated from Loyola Academy and in 1927 earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. He is credited with 56 patents, 42 of which were for improvements and innovations for both pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders. About 460 of his original cylinder dimensions are now incorporated into the NFPA cylinder standards.

Along with his partner, William J. Reedy, Frank purchased the Miller Motor Company in 1942. Descendants of that company were Flick Reedy Company and Miller Fluid Power Company, which is now a division of Parker Hannifin.

Flick received numerous awards, including three National Industrial Recreation Association Helms Awards for excellence in employee relations. He was awarded Citizen of the Year and an Americanism Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the First Partnership Award of the Labor-Management Association, the Senior Citizen of the Year Award from the Chicago Park District, and a Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice decoration from Pope Paul VI.

As early as 1957, Flick saw one of his inventions go into space: six tiny nuts were used to seal the highly corrosive fuel, helping to thrust four-pound Vanguard satellite 300 miles into the atmosphere. Implementing his fervor for education, Frank trained hundreds of his employees. He became known for his successful and effective employment policies and was known to have “trained the industry.”

President, Flick-Reedy Corporation, Bensenville, Illinois

• BS, Mechanical Engineering, 1927

Mr. Flick began his industrial career in 1941, when he and a partner bought the Miller Engine Company and began manufacturing leak-proof air and hydraulic power cylinders. Their product was of such sound design and so consistently improved that the company has become the largest of its kind in the world. Employee programs of remuneration, training, health, and education have produced an industry-wide record of longevity of employment. Facilities for these programs are provided in the plant – gymnasium, auditorium, swimming pool, classrooms, nondenominational chapel, even an in-house motel. This plant facility was designed by Mr. Flick and built in 1959, and won the designation "Plant of the Year."

Mr. Flick is the holder of 56 patents and has been the recipient of numerous awards. Among them are three National Industrial Recreation Association Helms Awards for excellence in employee relations, Citizen of the Year and Americanism Awards of the VFW, the First Partnership Award of the Labor-Management Association, Senior Citizen of the Year Award from the Chicago Park District, and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice designation from Pope Paul VI.

Flick-Reedy Corporation, is an Illinois corporation located in Bensenville, Illinois, and engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders and related products. Cylinders of this type are used as motors and include a reciprocating piston within a fluid-tight cylinder. The piston and piston rod connected thereto are moved to and fro by fluid pressure admitted to the cylinder.