About Us

Maurice (Skip) Dowding

CEO - Dowding Tool Products

Founder of Dowding Industries

Maurice (Skip) Dowding, the Founder of Dowding Industries, Inc., opened a small 5,000 sq. foot facility just down the road from the family homestead in Springport, MI in 1964. Dowding began operations as a Tool and Die shop for GM and Eaton Corporation, and shortly thereafter, added stamping operations to their endeavor. Over the years, Skip and Karen (his wife) would expand the business, adding six more additions onto their original 5,000 square foot print.

As President and Entrepreneur, Skip embarked on numerous diversification projects through his contacts across the country which would lead to the opening of D&M Manufacturing, a small shop in North Carolina. In 1980, Skip was awarded a franchise opportunity with LOPI Wood Stove to manufacture wood burning stoves for a 5-state region. Skip and Karen then started KDI and began forming, welding, assembly and painting operations of the LOPI product line, in a small building on their property in Deveraux, MI. They quickly out grew this building and were forced to move to a 20,000 square foot building in Albion, MI. Over the next 25 years, Skip purchased an additional plant in Marshall and leased a facility in Battle Creek, MI as the product and customer base continued to grow. In 1998, he consolidated all the production facilities into one location in Eaton Rapids for yet another new customer and product venture.

In 2007, Skip was assumed the role of the Chairmen of Board and passed the CEO torch on to his daughter, G. Christine Dowding. Skip chartered Chris with continuing the Dowding legacy. The objective given was to grow the business by constantly “re-engineering” ourselves to provide employment opportunities our community and family, for years to come.

Skip is now able to focus his time and attention on his love for being an Entrepreneur. With the accomplishments of Dowding Iowa Division and Dowding Machining, which recently opened in Eaton Rapids, Skip helped secure two more “emerging market” product lines that he can add to his success list.

Skip is a veteran of the Army Signal Corps and was stationed in Alaska as the Korean War was ending from 1950 –1955. His special interests are flying, traveling and an occasion golf game. Skip has flown numerous “Angel Flights” for critically ill patients for special medical treatments. He is a member of the Rotary Club and enjoys his wife of 50+ years, three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Talk about your crew here and your history.