At just 19 years old, Gerald Phillips made a bold decision: he quit his $0.90-an-hour job to start his own business, chiseling mahogany wood in his family’s old chicken coop. What began as a humble pursuit would grow into a 78-year family legacy. Through three economic recessions and countless challenges, Gerald persevered—laying the foundation for a tradition built on craftsmanship, resilience, and vision.

In 1965 at 10 years old, Greg Phillips started sweeping the pattern shop and began his training as a mahogany pattern maker in 1975 under the guidance of his father, Gerald, cousin Larry Roetken and Chuck VanCamp. All 3 men were masters of their craft. After a meeting with his father Greg started running the foundry in 1981 and took over all production operations by the mid 90's, carrying forward the family legacy with the same hands-on dedication he learned from the ground up.

After 61 years of starting Phillips Patterns & Castings, Inc Gerald Phillips passed away at the age of 83, but not before he saw a 4th generation of talent in Garen Phillips, his grandson learning the family craft. He also had the vision of hiring Jason Paul who married his granddaughter Nadia to take over the financial position he managed for the company. He left behind a legacy he built from a wood chisel and pile of sand but more importantly a legacy of honesty and hard work.