On May 1st, 1954, five modern-day pioneers came up with an initial investment of $40,000 to incorporate a business under the name of Vanamatic Company.
Operations began in a 6,000 sq. ft. wooden building with three screw machines, six employees, and one customer. The five original investors were Irv Ziegler, James Wiltsie Sr., Court Guynn, Charles Bond, and Forest Patch. James Wiltsie Sr. and Charles Hasselschwert managed the operations of the facility. Vanamatic Company’s name was derived from the “VAN” in Van Wert County and from the “MATIC” in automatic screw machines.