Founder, Horst Rolf Liebenstein, was born in Bad Liebenstein, Germany.

Mr. Liebenstein graduated from the Technische Universität Ilmenau with a Masters of Mechanical Engineering.

Mr. Liebenstein immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island in New York, New York. He changed his name to Harry Horst Livingston.

Mr. Livingston moved to Hartford, Connecticut to seek work in the growing New England industrial economy.

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.

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.

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.

Mr. Livingston’s brother-in-law, Lionel Israel, joined the company as a partner.

Mr. Israel’s interest was purchased back by Mr. Livingston.

Mr. Livingston’s oldest son, Stanley Livingston, joined the company.

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.

The assets of machine maker, H.A. Wheeler & Associates were acquired.

The assets of parts feeder manufacturer, AutoFeeds Inc., were acquired.

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.

Youngest son, Bert Livingston joined the company.

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.

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.

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.

The company significantly expanded its focus on aerospace contract manufacturing.

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.

Mr. Livingston’s grandson and Stanley’s son, Scott Livingston joined the company.

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.

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.

The company was officially transitioned to a third generation of ownership and management. Scott Livingston was named President and CEO.

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.

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.

The company launches a physical expansion with the renovation of it's 41 Cedar Street property. With two plants in East Hartford, Connecticut and one in Nogales, Sonora, significant capacity for growth has been generated.