History of Mack Boring & Parts Company
1920s
Mack Boring's founder, Ed McGovern Sr., a WWI Navy Veteran, started servicing and repairing engines in his Newark, NJ basement. His nickname was “Mack” and “boring” was one of his thriving shop’s specialties; boring, grinding and refitting holes in engine blocks for engine cylinders. In 1922, Mack opened a 500 sq. ft. machine shop in Newark, NJ called Mack Boring & Parts Company. His legendary reliability led to rapid growth and a move to a larger facility.
1930s
By the 1930s Ed had moved into a 10,000 sq. ft. facility. At Ed's fast growing automotive machine shop, superior workmanship and fast service kept Mack’s business going even through the depression. During WWII Mack Boring & Parts was busy with 3 shifts a day, doing mainly War Department reman work.
1940s
After the war, Ed McGovern Jr., a Navy war veteran and airplane pilot, joined the company. Ed Jr. became his father's partner. In 1949, they acquired two major distributorships, Continental Motors and Gray Marine Engines, and tremendous growth followed.
1950s
These years were spent growing the Continental and Graymarine lines. In 1959, the first Mack Boring branch opened in Lynbrook, NY.
1960s
In 1964, Ed Jr. signed on with Perkins Diesel and popularized the first turbo diesels in the recreational marine marketplace and Ed added Chrysler Industrial and Marine two years later. In the late 60s, Mack Boring sold 2,000 gas V8s a year. An early Mack Boring customer during this time was Luhrs Sea Skiffs. In 1966, Mack Boring relocated to a state-of-the-art 5-acre plant in Union, NJ. In 1968, Ed McGovern III, "Ned" joined the company after serving in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. In 1969, Engine City Technical Institute was founded.
1970s
In 1974, Ed Jr. and Ned encountered an unknown Japanese diesel: 8-horsepower, 1-cylinder horizontal piston engine with a peculiar design. The engine was tested and found to be of high quality and almost unstoppable. Ed bought 100 units, and introduced the first Yanmar engines into the U.S. marketplace. After 3 years at sea, Steve McGovern joined the company, bringing with him a 100-ton CG license and a vast knowledge of sailing ships, tugboats and yachts. His marine experience helped popularize Yanmar in the sail market and in 5 years helped Yanmar become the top selling sailboat diesel in the U.S. as it remains today. Steve played a vital role in creating Mack Boring's exceptional service dealer programs for diesel engines.
1980s
In 1980 Mack Boring added a New England division, based in Braintree, MA, to offer better service and faster delivery to valued Northeast customers. During the late 80s and early 90s Mack Boring introduced the first Yanmar industrial diesels to the U.S. military marketplace. Ned oversaw the first air-cooled diesels installed into the 2kW and 3kW TQG military generator programs. Over the years, Mack Boring sold tens of thousands of air-cooled Yanmar diesels to the top U.S. military small generator contractors.
1990s
In 1991, Ed Jr. passed away, and Ned became President while Steve assumed the role of Vice President. Isuzu Motors was added to Mack Boring's product lineup for 100+ horsepower industrial engines. Today Mack Boring provides Isuzu diesels to a new generation of military customers. In 1997, we opened Mack Boring's first Southeastern branch in Wilmington, NC. During the late 90’s, members of the 4th generation joined the company brought the next wave of growth including Patrick McGovern, with a degree in Finance from Boston College. In 1999, we established the Marine Transmission Center for distribution and product expertise of marine gears and propulsion systems. In the same year, GLOBAL POWER PRODUCTS™ brand generators and pumps were introduced.
2000s
With the fourth generation working in the company, Mack Boring continues as a private family-owned corporation with robust growth and award winning customer focus.
New Jersey Family Business of the Year Award Nominations
1998: Semifinalist
2000: Hall of Fame
2002: Finalist
For nine years beginning in 2001, we operated a branch office in Illinois. Today, a dedicated Mack Boring technician is stationed there to service area customers and to support a strong Great Lakes region dealer network. We moved our Massachusetts branch from Braintree MA, to Middleboro MA. In 2005, Mack Boring began our partnership with Mitsubishi Engines, North America, initially with large bore Commercial Marine products, and shortly after with the small bore industrial engine line. In 2008, we began another great partnership with Scania USA, now distributing marine and industrial engines along the East Coast and Great Lakes region. In December, 2008 Steve McGovern was elected President of Mack Boring and Parts Co., Patrick McGovern was promoted to COO, and Ned McGovern to chairman of the company. The company is well positioned for future success in the fourth generation and beyond.
Mack Boring actively educates over 1000 individuals each year on diesel products. We manage approximately 300 Authorized Dealers through three regional distribution centers.
Throughout its incredible history, Mack Boring has been committed to bringing its customers premium engines, expert service and unbeatable parts.
