History of Rhodes Systems International, Inc. (RSI) – THREE GENERATIONS STRONG!
A product based Company since 1961
In 1961, Arthur J. Rhodes and his brother, Bernard Rhodes, started A and B Products, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. A and B Products, Inc. was a specialized custom machine re-builder for the application. Prior to this, they had both owned Harvest Furniture Company, which was a mass producer of leather gold leaf inlaid furniture and they saw the need for enhanced material handling and unit transport conveyor systems and as a result, “A and B Products, Inc.” began. In 1971, Arthur J. Rhodes passed away and his son, Arthur B. Rhodes, “Bernie,” to all who knew him, took the reins under a new name of Rhodes Machinery International, Inc. Otherwise known as RMI.
Arthur Bernard “BERNIE” Rhodes, started RMI in 1972, as a custom machinery builder of specialized material handling equipment and systems to meet customers’ requirements to fit the application. In 1981, Arthur Bernard Rhodes II, “Art,” joined his father, as National Sales Manager and later became Vice President of the Company in 1996.
In 1979, Bernie invented the Rhodes Towline and Highline Conveyor Systems. These systems are now a “household” name throughout manufacturing and finishing companies, with a large multi-industry base, which includes, but is not limited to, automotive, food, military, plastics/composites, aerospace, woodworking, farm equipment, sport utility, foundry and general industrial.
Bernie and his son Art believed in invention and innovation and throughout the years were awarded twenty three (23) United States patents with four (4) International Patents for their breakthrough ideas and inventions relating to the Towline Floor and Highline Overhead Conveyor Systems.
As the millennium approached, Rhodes Systems had installed over 1200 finishing lines, transport and assembly based unit handling systems that incorporated Rhodes Floor Towline and Highline Overhead Chain Conveyor Systems.
In 2004, due to latter stage Parkinson’s disease, Bernie decided to retire and Art Rhodes II continued to move forward with the business into the future and continued to develop more patents of his own. Art Rhodes is currently the President of the company and is dedicated to enforcing his father’s beliefs of breakthrough product invention and innovation. In 2015, Mr. Rhodes finally passed away at the age of 79 years old. His legacy will live on through his son Art.
In 2006, due to the company moving completely into the systems business, Art Rhodes decided to give the company a new image and name which included revamping the original Rhodes logo to an abbreviated version. We are now referred to in the Industry as Rhodes Systems International, Inc. or “RSI” by our suppliers and customers.
The Rhodes companies are founded on solid principles and the highest values. Rhodes is committed to serving our customers with honesty, integrity and respect along with superior products that last for many generations due to the many patents that only Rhodes Systems International, Inc. (RSI) can do. Rhodes prides its systems as unique, superior and built to last for many generations.
We appreciate your consideration of our products and appreciate you visiting our site!
