Trade.Information

Company Name: Horst Engineering & Manufacturing Co.

Company Type: Manufacture precision machined components and assemblies for aerospace and other high technology industries

Company Profile

1912 
Founder, Horst Rolf Liebenstein, was born in Bad Liebenstein, Germany.
1937 
Mr. Liebenstein graduated from the Technische Universität Ilmenau with a Masters of Mechanical Engineering.
1938 
Mr. Liebenstein immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island in New York, New York. He changed his name to Harry Horst Livingston.
1939 
Mr. Livingston moved to Hartford, Connecticut to seek work in the growing New England industrial economy.
1940-1945 
Mr. Livingston married Sylvia Hurwitz in 1942. He then worked at a variety of Hartford area manufacturing companies, including: Whitney Chain Company, Johns-Hartford Tool Company, Colts Manufacturing Company, Barridan Oil Burner Company, and The Wiremold Company.
1946 
Mr. Livingston founded Horst Engineering and Manufacturing Co. The original 2000 sq/ft plant was located at 602 Garden Street in Hartford. The company offered engineering services and tool and die making services.
1950 
Horst Engineering moved to a new 4000 sq/ft building at 36 Cedar Street in East Hartford, Connecticut. The company developed contract manufacturing capabilities and offered screw machine products.
1951 
Mr. Livingston’s brother-in-law, Lionel Israel, joined the company as a partner.
1957 
Mr. Israel’s interest was purchased back by Mr. Livingston.
1963 
Mr. Livingston’s oldest son, Stanley Livingston, joined the company.
1967 
The company expanded the plant with a 4000 sq/ft addition. Additional investment in screw machine technology shifted the business towards more production oriented machining processes.
1965 Middle son, Steven Livingston, joined the company.
1970 
The assets of machine maker, H.A. Wheeler & Associates were acquired.
1971 
The assets of parts feeder manufacturer, AutoFeeds Inc., were acquired.
1972 
The company introduced thread rolling as a secondary process to support the screw machining and turning processes. Soon after, the company began offering thread rolling services to other job shops.
1977 
Youngest son, Bert Livingston joined the company.
1978 
Bert left the company to pursue a different career path in Florida, where he established a business to assist other entrepreneurial business leaders with financial and estate planning. The plant was expanded with a 7000 sq/ft addition.
1979 
The company was officially transitioned to a second generation of ownership and management. Mr. Livingston was succeeded by son, Stanley, as President, and Steven became Vice President.
1980 
The company made its first significant investments in CNC machining technology. This moved the company beyond screw machine products and into the production of high precision components for aerospace and other high technology industries.
1982 Adeline Livingston, Stanley’s spouse, joined the company.
1985 The plant was expanded with a 7000 sq/ft addition.
1989-1995 
The company significantly expanded its focus on aerospace contract manufacturing.
1995 
The assets of the Egan Machine Company, of Bristol, CT, were acquired and combined with the company’s internal thread rolling department. The operation was spun off to form Thread Rolling Inc. a service company dedicated to providing value-added thread forming, roll knurling, and centerless grinding services.
1995 
Mr. Livingston’s grandson and Stanley’s son, Scott Livingston joined the company.
1996 The company celebrated its 50th year in business. 
1998 
Mr. Livingston passed away after eighty six years. He had been involved with the direction of Horst Engineering nearly every day since its founding. He left a lasting legacy that was symbolized by his family, his business, and his co-workers.
1999 
The company was presented with the Nozko Award for medium-sized businesses, which honors the Connecticut Family Business of the Year. Each year, the University of Connecticut Family Business Program recognizes Connecticut’s most successful firms based on business success, positive family and business linkage, multi-generational family involvement, dynamic contributions to industry, community, and innovative business strategies and practices.
2001 
The company was officially transitioned to a third generation of ownership and management. Scott Livingston was named President and CEO.
2002 
The company shifted from a traditional family business model to a more progressive model as a family controlled enterprise, managed by a team of individuals that included both members of the Livingston Family and a group of key non-family leaders.
2006

2006 The company celebrated its 60th year in business. 

The company launched a maquiladora operation in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. A long term strategic plan and capacity expansion for both the East Hartford and Nogales operations was initiated.

About Company

Overview
Horst Engineering is a contract manufacturer of precision machined components and assemblies for aerospace and other high technology industries. Our core processes include Swiss screw machining, turning, milling, thread rolling, centerless grinding, and assembly. Our extensive supply chain offers our customers a full service logistics solution for managing their precision product requirements. We are ISO9001:2000 and AS9100 registered and proud of our sixty-year, three-generation legacy of quality and performance. 

Mission
We are a premier supplier of detail parts, assemblies, and services to aerospace and other high precision industries. We focus on manufacturing “jewel-like” components with ultra-modern tools, systems, and management. Our culture is characterized by a three-generation legacy of strong family and business values, and a passion for crafting products that are built to last. Our team of skilled and experienced associates is dedicated to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. This is the Horst Way.

Made in New England
Based in East Hartford, Connecticut, the company has a three generation legacy of supporting the manufacturing economy at the local, regional, and national levels. Horst Engineering is a proud supporter of locally made products. For more than sixty years, Horst Engineering has been fortunate to have the opportunity to draw from the most talented pool of skilled laborers in our region. The lifeblood of the New England industrial economy has always been the diversity of its educated, talented, and conscientious professionals. Horst Engineering has continually maintained a solid profile in the community by supporting civic and professional organizations. 

Made in Mexico
In 2006, Horst Engineering established its first international presence with the introduction of a Mexican maquiladora. Horst Engineering began a new era by producing products in Nogales, Sonora with the support of a Mexican shelter partner. The Sonoran culture is exemplified by its talented and hard working people.


Tradition and Innovation
The Livingston Family is proud of their company’s accomplishments. Continuous improvement, technological innovation, and change management have always been part of the family tradition. Horst Engineering’s customers benefit from the family controlled enterprise model. Horst Engineering is an organization that combines its rich history and strong values with modern tools, modern thinking, and modern systems. The vision of the late founder, Harry Livingston, has guided Horst Engineering for more than sixty years. His risk taking leap into business, and the continuing generation’s leadership and ability to improve upon his vision have perpetuated his dream.