COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3555

Printing Trades Machinery and Equipment

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1957–1996founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedVolt Information Sciences Inc.FoundedVolt Information Sciences Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedIndigo NVFoundedIndigo NV
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedBaldwin Technology Company, Inc.FoundedBaldwin Technology Company, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedXeikon NVFoundedXeikon NV
1988
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedAutologic Information International, Inc.FoundedAutologic Information International, Inc.FoundedImation CorporationFoundedImation Corporation
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Indigo NV →
Active · founded 1977 · The Netherlands
Indigo NV is a pioneering developer and manufacturer of digital printing systems using patented liquid ink technology.
Indigo NV →
Active · founded 1977 · The Netherlands
Indigo NV is a pioneering developer and manufacturer of digital printing systems using patented liquid ink technology.
Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
With more than $244 million in sales in fiscal 1997, Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of…
Baldwin Technology Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
With more than $244 million in sales in fiscal 1997, Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of…
Xeikon NV →
Active · founded 1988 · Belgium
Xeikon NV is one of the pioneers of color digital printing technology for the professional printing market.
Xeikon NV →
Active · founded 1988 · Belgium
Xeikon NV is one of the pioneers of color digital printing technology for the professional printing market.
Autologic Information International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Autologic Information International, Inc.
Autologic Information International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Autologic Information International, Inc.
Imation Corporation →
Active · founded 1996
In the closing months of 1995, Minnesota's 3M Corporation, one of the bluest of America's blue-chip companies,…
Imation Corporation →
Active · founded 1996
In the closing months of 1995, Minnesota's 3M Corporation, one of the bluest of America's blue-chip companies,…
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