Neff Engineering Company was founded.
NEFF Engineering Company was founded in 1926 by 32-year-old Harry A. Neff in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The business began primarily as a manufacturers' representative firm, selling hoists, fans, tools, valves, drives, and comparable products. Once Harry Neff added quick-connect couplings designed for air, hydraulic, water, and other gases, Neff Engineering Company was looking to expand.
Neff Engineering expands into industrial automation distribution.
In the 1950's, Harry Neff, along with his sons Jack and Tom Neff, led Neff Engineering along a path of incredible growth. This growth period was largely fueled by the addition of several successful product lines that are still offered by NEFF Automation today. Neff began offering MAC Valves, Norgren, Wilkerson, and PHD products by the mid-1950's, expanding Neff's business model to industrial automation distribution.
Expansion offices throughout this time included: Indianapolis, IN (1950), Milwaukee, WI (1952), South Bend, IN (1953), Appleton, WI (1972), and Grand Rapids, MI (1975).
Introducing the second generation of Neff leadership.
When Harry A. Neff retired in 1972, he left behind an impressive legacy by playing a critical role in developing the distribution channels for the fluid power industry that we still use to this day. At this point, Jack and Tom Neff took over the company as the second generation of Neff leadership.
Neff Engineering splits into two companies.
In 1980, Neff Engineering split into two companies: Neff Engineering operating in Indiana and Western Michigan, and Neff Engineering of Wisconsin. After 15 years apart, the two entities came back together just prior to a change in Neff management.
The third generation of Neff leadership steps up.
In 1996, the baton was passed to the third generation of Neff family members. In 2010, the entity now known as Neff Group Distributors, Inc., was created to leverage the assets of all Neff companies - which then included Neff Engineering and Fluidtrols Corporation. Finally in 2014, NEFF marked the end to a chain of acquisitions and expanded further east, creating Neff Automation Technologies in Franklin, MA, and acquiring Intek Systems based out of Pennsylvania.
NEFF Automation is born.
In 2017, Neff Group Distributors, Inc. was combined into one cohesive brand, now titled NEFF Automation. As NEFF continues to expand, we have never lost track of our mission - to enhance our customers' competitiveness with industrial automation.