A Proud History

Hyland Screw Machine Products was organized in 1928 in the basement of Forest Hyland's home at 1822 Patterson Road in Belmont (suburb of Dayton) Ohio.

Mr. Hyland was a man who had a great desire to form his own business. He was determined to make it succeed, to see it grow in spite of many obstacles that fate threw at him over the years.

With $50 he bought his first screw machine. Working at Delco during the day, he ran the machine at night. In 1932 when orders began to pick up, he finally quit his job, moved the shop to a room in the Maxwell Power Building and hired his first employee, Max Melbaur.

Hyland grew to 15 employees as many Government contracts rolled in. This period wasn't entirely trouble-free, however. Since Hyland was undercapitalized, cash-flow became a problem. At one point Mr. Hyland had a fist-full of orders but no money to purchase raw materials to make the parts. Banks wouldn't lend him money during the Depression. Fortunately he was able to convice customers to pay in advance!

During this period, the firm produced a wide variety of aircraft parts. Forest traveled the nation successfully soliciting orders from all of the major aircraft companies.

In 1937 Hyland moved to a 4000 sq. ft. two-story building on Potomac Street on the east side of Dayton.

As the nation prepared for war, production increased and employment jumped to 100 persons. More space was required, so in 1940 a house was torn down in front of the two-story building. The first new construction for Hyland began and the floor space was increased to 8000 sq. ft.

When the war ended, aircraft parts contracts were terminated. Business took a nose dive. Employment dropped to three persons, including an office assistant. Mr. Hyland developed a heart condition. His chief assistant died.

At this point Mr. Hyland's son, Forest E. (Dute) Hyland, Sr., assumed managerial responsibility for the firm. He directed sales efforts toward the commercial screw machine products field. A post-war breakthrough was achieved when Inland Manufacturing placed a series of high volume orders with Hyland. Through the years other significant customers were added: IBM, Northwestern Tool, V.R. Wesson, and more.

After suffering a series of heart attacks, the founder, Forest Hyland, died in 1953 at the age of 53.

In 1963, the company purchased 2.8 acres on Kuntz Road in north Dayton where a 27,000 sq. ft. building was erected. Growth continued and in 1969 a 12,000 sq. ft. addition to the plant was constructed. Today this facility measures 42,000 sq. ft.

Forest E. Hyland, Sr. died in 1983. He has been succeeded by his son, Forest E. (Dutie) Hyland, Jr. who now serves as President of the company. Dutie's son, F. Dan Hyland is currently Vice President and represents our Fourth Generation.