History

(Bob Tallman Sr. and Bob Tallman Jr. 1954 Assembly Jig)

Tallman Ladders began from an orchardist in need of light weight, sturdy tripod orchard ladders. Wooden ladders of this type had been available for years, but were heavy (especially when wet), left splinters in your hands, and constantly needed repairs. They swelled in rainstorms and became loose when they dried out, needing tightening several times a year.

In 1953, Bob Tallman Sr., with experience in aluminum from working with Lockheed Aircraft during World War II, constructed a few ladders for his own use. Neighboring growers saw them and asked him to build some for them, and orders just kept coming. His brother Bill Tallman, a machinist, joined in and together they built tools and dies in the last few months of 1953. Bill started producing parts in his garage in downtown Hood River, and assembly was done on the ranch of Bob Sr.'s in an old fruit storage and packing shed. The first production run of TALLMAN LADDERS came out in March of 1954.

In 1957, Bob Sr. purchased a larger ranch and brother Bill continued to run the ladder business until retirement. Bill sold the business to Bob Sr.'s son, also named Bob. Young Bob Jr. had worked with his father and uncle from the start, including ladder No. 1 in 1953. Bob Jr. grew the business to almost double its yearly production.

Today, Bob Tallman, along with daughter Brenda Tallman-Kaiser, own and run the business. The same basic ladder design is still produced, although technology has afforded material improvements. Still a small family business, export sales have continued to grow, with sales now reaching many countries. The ladders and all their parts are made in house, and we are proud to say that we are made in the U.S.A.

The ladders have earned the reputation of being the best quality and longest lasting orchard ladder on the market, at the most reasonable cost. The Tallman family commits to continue running the business with the same goals we started with of Quality, Safety, and Integrity.

(Bill Tallman Jr. 1954 Making Top Caps)