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Company Timeline
summary • history • timeline
1956
Hand Industries, Inc. is established in Warsaw, Indiana as Hand Polishing Shop. William F. Hand and his co-workers open for business by providing metal finishing services for the orthopedic industry. The company grows to become the largest outside processor of orthopedic metal finishing in the United States.
1963
The business is incorporated in order to facilitate investment from managers and outside investors, raising capital for future growth. Soon thereafter, Quality Manufacturing Company was created as a new division specializing in screw machining, and other types of general lathe work.
1971
The company's name is changed to Hand Industries, Inc., to reflect increasing diversification.
1972
In 1972, this diversification included acquiring the assets and many of the employees of The Dirilyte Company, a Kokomo-based manufacturer of bronze flatware and hollowware. In the same year, the company expanded into metal plating with the purchase of a small operation in Warsaw.
1973
The company adopts a profit-sharing program for all employees with contributions into employee IRAs.
1975
In 1975 Levernier Laboratories, Inc. is purchased and moved from Huntington, IN. Its main product is a special soap dispenser for emergency rooms and surgery units.
1978
Terry E. Hand joins the company in charge of quality control and personnel.
1979
In November, Terry E. Hand is promoted to Vice President and General Manager.
1981
Wasaw Travel Agency is opened, and later grows to employ 40 people with branches in five northern Indiana cities. Leon Horn is President of the travel agencies until the division is sold. Ronald W. Hand joins company in charge of quality control.
1982
Hand retools Dirilyte's product line, creating a new line of golden-hued plaques and recognition awards sold nationwide. Company establishes 401K profit-sharing and savings program for all employees.
1984
Terry E. Hand becomes President of Hand Industries, Inc. Later in the year, John G. Hand joins company in charge of computer and software installations. Jerry L. Richardson is promoted to Executive Vice President.
1986
Hand's metal finishing services expanded to include aerospace metal finishing.
1990
A new agricultural division, known as Acorn Ridge Highlands, is opened and begins raising crops and livestock throughout Kosciusko County. At its peak, 1200 acres and 1100 cow and calves are raised. Acorn Ridge continues to sell Highland cattle, beef and agricultural products on the Internet at www.acornridge.net
1997
The company invests in WaveOne Communications, LLC, a local Internet Service Provider. Over the next 3 years, WaveOne provides local Internet dial-up access in small communities where it had not previously been available, helps to link the local school system's 15 elementary and secondary school locations to the Internet with microwave wireless Internet technology and provides high-speed broadband Internet access to businesses and individuals throughout the county, years before it is locally available through any other provider. WaveOne Enterprises, Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary, continues to provide broadband Internet access and web hosting services.
1998
Hand begins selling training materials and other products for pilots through the Internet and now owns and operates the largest on-line pilot shop and the world's largest aviation software retailer, through the AvShop website, located on-line at www.avshop.com. Pilotportal.com offers the Net's largest database of aircraft information and other Internet "portal" features for pilots.
1999
Dirilyte adds corporate apparel to its product offerings after the purchase and installation of computer-controlled embroidery equipment.
2000
John G. Hand is promoted to President, while Terry E. Hand becomes CEO of the company.
2002
The company invests in a new venture, Precision Technology of Warsaw, providing precision machining services.
2006
Paragon Medical acquires the orthopedic metal finishing division from Hand Industries on August 22nd, 2006.
2007
PILOTMALL.COM, INC. acquired the Hand Industries’ aviation division, AVSHOP.COM, on March 22nd, 2007.
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