(319) 377-8881
6451 Partners Ave,
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 377-8881
6451 Partners Ave,
Marion, IA 52302
ESM is proud of our substantial history filled with many amazing achievements.
ELECTRIC SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING IS FOUNDED
Located in downtown Cedar Rapids, IA, George Bishton founded Electric Specialty Manufacturing and began to produce telegraph keys over 100 years ago.
A PARTNERSHIP
George Bishton and George Wilson entered into a business partnership.
GEORGE WILSON
George Wilson took full ownership of Electric Specialty with a focus on manufacturing proprietary products such as CR Speed Key.
THE WIRELESS PIPE LOCATOR
George Wilson copyrighted the term “Wireless.” ESM developed, marketed, and manufactured The Wireless Pipe Locator for use in locating and tracing water, gas, oil, or other underground pipes.
TELEPHONE SERVICE AND THE TELOHM
Electric Specialty Mfg. provided hardware necessary to develop telephone services throughout the rural Midwest. Electric Specialty made the Telohm, a volt/ohm meter.
WW II
Electric Specialty started to perform machining contract work around the time WWII began.
ROBERT WILSON
George Wilson passed away in 1951, and ownership of the company was passed down to his son, Robert Wilson.
BUSINESS CHANGES
Electric Specialty adjusted exclusively to machining contract work by the end of the 1960s.
BUSINESS CHANGES
Ownership of Electric Specialty Mfg. was passed down to Robert’s son, Gregg Wilson.
ESM EXPANSION I
Due to continued growth, Electric Specialty Mfg. moved from downtown Cedar Rapids to Marion, IA.
FIRST CNC MACHINE
Gregg Wilson acquired his first CNC machine, a Tapemate. CNC machining became widely accepted in the 1980s. Additional machines acquired were an Ooya in 1983 and a Miyano lathe in 1984.
THREE GENERATIONS
Through three generations, dating back to 1912, Electric Specialty adjusted with the shifting technologies to deliver quality products at competitive prices.
H&E HOLDINGS
Jim Eipert and Todd Heying acquired ownership of Electric Specialty Mfg. from Gregg Wilson.
EXPANDING CAPABILITIES
ESM transitioned from screw machines to Swiss lathe technology for improved efficiency and versatility to meet customer needs.
ESM EXPANSION II
Due to continued growth, a new facility was built in the Marion, IA, MEDCO business park.
REBRAND
ESM rebranded from Electric Specialty Mfg. to your Experienced Source for Machining.
HOLUB GRINDING & MACHINE INC.
ESM acquired Holub Grinding & Machine to offer on-site centerless and cylindrical grinding.
THE DERECHO
Like many other businesses in Iowa, ESM was temporarily shut down by the extreme weather event.
THE DERECHO REPAIRS
ESM’s power was restored, and production resumed within three weeks.
ROBOTICS
ESM acquired a Cobot to improve efficiency and meet production demand.
AUTOMATION EXPANSION
ESM acquired a second robot to improve productivity.
ESM continues to focus on providing quality custom solutions to the ever-changing needs of our customers.
