History | Horst Engineering

1912	Founder, Horst Rolf Liebenstein, was born in Bad Liebenstein, Germany.His parents were business owners (retail groceries). He was the middle of two brothers. His parents remained in Germany and died during the Holocaust.
1930-1942	His older brother, Berthold, immigrated to Kenya in the early 1930′s. He died there in the early 1940′s. His younger brother, Hans, immigrated to Cape Town, South Africa in 1934.Hans and Horst reunited 30 years later in 1964.
1937	Mr. Liebenstein graduated from the Technische Universität Ilmenau with a Masters of Mechanical Engineering. His graduating class included many of Germany’s most renowned engineers.During his school years, he also worked in various factories, including one in the bicycle industry.
1938	Mr. Liebenstein immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island in New York, New York in October 1938. He changed his name to Harry Horst Livingston.
1939	Mr. Livingston moved to Hartford, Connecticut to seek work in the growing New England industrial economy.
1940-1945	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.
1946	Mr. Livingston founded Horst Engineering and Manufacturing Co. The original 2000 sq/ft plant was located on the second story of a barn at 602 Garden Street in Hartford. The company offered engineering services and tool and die making services.
1950	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.
1951	Mr. Livingston’s brother-in-law, Lionel Israel, joined the company as a partner.
1957	Mr. Israel’s interest was purchased back by Mr. Livingston.
1963	Mr. Livingston’s oldest son, Stanley Livingston, joined the company.
1965	Middle son, Steven Livingston, joined the company.
1967	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.
1970	The assets of machine maker, H.A. Wheeler & Associates were acquired.
1971	The assets of parts feeder manufacturer, AutoFeeds Inc., were acquired.
1972	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.
1977	Youngest son, Bert Livingston joined the company.
1978	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.
1979	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.
1980	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.
1982	Adeline Livingston, Stanley’s spouse, joined the company.
1985	The plant was expanded with a 7000 sq/ft addition.
1989-1995	The company significantly expanded its focus on aerospace contract manufacturing.
1995	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 formThread Rolling Inc. a service company dedicated to providing value-added thread forming, roll knurling, and centerless grinding services.
1995	Mr. Livingston’s grandson and Stanley’s son, Scott Livingston joined the company.
1996	The company celebrated its 50th year in business.
1998	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.
1999	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.
2000	Horst Engineering and Thread Rolling Inc. achieve ISO9001:2000 and AS9000 registration.
2001	The company was officially transitioned to a third generation of ownership and management. Scott Livingston was named President and CEO.
2002	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.
2006	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.
2008	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. A 39kW Solar PV System is installed in East Hartford. Horst Engineering acquires Crystal Precision, LLC. Horst Engineering, Horst Engineering de Mexico, and Thread Rolling Inc. earn ISO9001:2008 and AS9100 registration.
2009	Horst Medical is formed as a separate division. Horst Engineering de Mexico launches an expansion and moves to Guaymas, Sonora. Horst Engineering de Mexico achieves ISO9001:2008/AS9100 registration.
2010	Horst Engineering de Mexico obtains Military License/ITAR registration.Thread Rolling Inc. business unit celebrates its 15th anniversary.
2011	Horst Engineering de Mexico earns Nadcap accreditation for Chemical Processing. Horst Engineering celebrates 65 years as a family business.
2012	13 September 2012 is the centennial birthday anniversary of founder, Harry Livingston (born Horst Rolf Liebenstein). Horst Engineering, Horst Engineering de Mexico, and Thread Rolling Inc. earn re-registration to the Revision C version of AS9100.
2013	Horst Engineering acquires Sterling Machine Company, Inc. of Lynn, Massachusetts, USA. Sterling Machine a second generation family business was founded in 1967, and is also a contract manufacturer of precision machined aerospace components. This acquisition is Horst Engineering’s largest in our 67 year history and diversifies our customer base by giving us a stronger presence in the market for aircraft engine components.