SI Systems History

SI SYSTEMS TIMELINE

1958 Jack Bradt, Cornell University engineering graduate, forms SI HandlingSystems, Inc. The company’s first product is manually-wheeled carts, used in manufacturing and distribution environments.

1960 SI installs its first Switch-Cart system, LO-TOW®, at Spector Freight in Brooklyn, NY. SI’s LO-TOW revolutionizes the industry with the in-floor chain conveyor system.

1964 The first public share of SI Handling Systems, Inc. is issued.

1968 SI enters the distribution/order selection marketplace with the purchase of ORDERMATIC®; a computer-controlled machine that picks full cases of product.

1969 SI continues to increase its market share in the manufacturing and distribution segment with the addition of CARTRAC®; a rugged yet smooth and simple component of in-floor or overhead mounted application used in the automotive industry for loads up to 5,000 lbs

1970 SI Handling Systems Inc. expands its target market by entering the international marketplace.

1971 SI acquires the Tilt Tray/Gull Wing Sorter; a high-speed, high-volume sortation machine, to complete their order selection business. SI develops software which allows better assimilation between equipment and order needs generated. This marks the beginning of SI’s software development to further integrate machinery into processes.

1972 SI is one of the first technology companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. SI acquires the right to ITEMATIC®; an automated order selection system for processing individual items.

1989 SI acquires the rights to provide DISPEN-SI-MATIC™ throughout North America. The Traveling Head Dispenser (THD) in both single and dual tier models is introduced.

1990 SI again expands its capabilities with the acquisition of the Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) group from BT Systems of Europe.

1993 SI/Baker Inc. is formed as a joint venture to provide automated prescription fulfillment systems.

1995 SI introduces Accupic™; a new paperless picking system. This enhances SI’s position in the Automated Order Selection marketplace with high-speed sorting system for small packages.

1996 SI Handling Systems creates the GantryRobotic Order Picking System for medium volume SKUs in automated distribution centers. SI enters an exclusive license agreement with Seattle Film Works to use their mail sortation technology for order fulfillment applications.

1996 The U.S. government awards SI Handling Systems the Red River Army Depot installation; SI’s largest government contract.

1998 SI Handling Systems Inc. is named one of the world’s Top 20 Material Handling Systems Suppliers. SI obtains ISO 9001 certification.

1999 SI Handling Systems Inc. purchases Ermanco Conveyor, broadening their material handling systems market presence.

2000 Reflecting its new overall business orientation as a one-stop, full-service organization, SI changes its name to Paragon Technologies, Inc.

2002 SInthesis™; the real time software solution that offers optimization planning; warehousing, inventory, routing, order fulfillment and distribution processes is trademarked as Paragon’s intelligent order fulfillment software suite.

2002 Paragon’s proprietary software suite, Warehouse Distribution Optimizer™, is trademarked. The software provides real time analysis and diagnosis of every picking system in the distribution center.