D & R Machine was established in 1997, as a way to allow a husband and father who worked an afternoon shift to spend time with his family. He knew that by establishing his family business it would be his way of fulfilling what he felt was his priority in life. David W. Gotter, a graduate of District 9 Apprenticeship program at Lewis and Clark Community College, began his company in a 1600 sq/ft pole barn building in his backyard. He grew his company and in 1999, he incorporated his original site and moved into a 7000 sq/ft building. A second corporation, Alton Machine Works Incorporated, was founded in April 2004 and began operations within the Alton Steel Business Park in Alton, Illinois. Alton Machine Works, Inc. is a proud member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.