Key Company Milestones
Since 1953, Park Industries® has been designing, manufacturing, selling, and supporting high precision fabrication solutions. Where stone fabrication has evolved, we have helped prompt the change, or at the very least evolved with it. Our invaluable experience in this industry is unmatched and benefits our customers greatly.
Take a scroll through Park Industries company history.
1950’s
1952
Gran-A-Stone company was founded by Leon Schlough & Alvina Schlough. This business manufactured and sold a concrete stone product that was used as a building veneer similar to face brick.
1953
Park Tool Company began as a division of Gran-A-Stone company.
Leon Schlough realized that the Gran-A-Stone product was larger and harder than brick that masons were accustomed to using. Therefore, he designed and built a hydraulic press to split the Gran-A-Stone blocks. At this time, there wasn’t an adequate splitter available in the market to cut Gran-A-Stone.
1954
The answer to the Gran-A-Stone challenge was launched by Leon Schlough, as a hydraulic masonry cutter – known as the HYDRASPLIT Model 888.
1956
During this time, two larger machines capable of splitting larger materials were developed and introduced. This led to inquiries for larger, production oriented machines for use in quarries and stone manufacturing plants. The first of these machines was the HYDRASPLIT Model 2440P , the first “equalizing blade” machine with a splitting force of 80,000 pounds, 8 inch max split thickness, and 24 inch split width.
1960’s
1960
Next came the HYDRASPLIT Model 38 with 220,000 pounds of splitting force, 12 inch split thickness, and 38 inch split width.
1961
The HYDRASPLIT Model 50 was introduced. Many of the design concepts introduced in the 38 & 50 Models were used for future models. Model 50 had a 12 inch split thickness and 50 inch split width.
1965
Park Tool Company had the opportunity to build an even larger HYDRASPLIT machine for a customer with a special job. This machine became the Model 96 and led Gran-A-Stone company into the monument and curbing industries. The Model 96 had a 600 ton split force, 18 inch split thickness, and 96 inch split width.
1969
Tom Schlough, son of Leon Schlough, joins Gran-A-Stone Company.
1970’s
1970
The first 10′ HYDRASPLIT product was the Model 120. This machine had 1.2 million pounds of splitting force, making it the most powerful machine built in its time. The Model 120 had a 120 inch split width.
1971
The Slant and Bevel Marker System was introduced. It was designed to improved efficiency in monument work manufacturing.
1972
Gran-A-Stone Company divide into two individual companies: 1) Gran-A-Stone 2) Park Tool Company.
The Slab Turner was introduced. It was used to rotate stone slabs. This product was later renamed the ‘POSI-TURNER’ and has since been sold to many Fortune 500 Companies for use in a variety of applications.
1976
Tom and Joyce Schlough purchased ‘Park Tool Company’ from Leon Schlough, Tom’s father.
1977
Park Tool Company launched their 1st United Way Campaign.
1979
Diamond Tipped Disc Saw was developed and introduced. It was used for cutting granite slabs into “slant and hickey” markers. The Diamond Tipped Disc Saw had a 60 inch blade diameter, 22 inch split thickness, and 10 feet cut length.
1980’s
1980
120″ Diamond Saw was manufactured. Currently, several models in different sizes and capabilities are in use for the production of granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, and man-made products. The 120″ Diamond Saw had a 50 inch split thickness and 10 feet cut length.
1981
HYDRASPLIT Rubble Handling System was designed and introduced. This machine, a conveyor system to carry stone slabs into the HYDRASPLIT and cut pieces out, was designed to help our customers increase production, save labor, and improve material handling and working conditions.
1985
‘Park Tool Company’ changed its name to ‘Park Industries, Inc.®’
Park Industries, Inc.® built and moved to a new facility located at 6600 Saukview Drive, St. Cloud, MN. The 30,000 sq. ft. facility was needed to provide more efficient production space and capabilities to respond to its customers’ growing needs.
1986
The ACCU-CUT was designed and manufactured. This was the first machine designed for granite countertop fabricators. It was a flexible diamond sawing/profiling system for dimensional and decorative stone cutting needs.
1988
1st Automatic CNC Router Developed and Introduced: developed for the dimensional shaping and cutting of marble and granite for primarily countertops and vanities.
1989
Adoption of the ‘Quality System Pledge’:
A contributing factor to our success was the adoption of a Quality System, which invites all Park Industries® associates to suggest ways to reduce cost and improve performance. Every Park associate signs the quality pledge; “I agree to develop, produce, and provide on time products and services that conform to our customers’ requirements.”
1990’s
1992
The 1st Pro-Edge, Edge Polishing Machine was launched. This was a very important innovation for Park – established Park as a legitimate equipment provider to the granite countertop industry.
1993
A Board of Advisers for Park Industries® was formed.
1994
The COUGAR Diamond Saw was launched.
1995
The WIZARD Radial Arm Edge Shaping & Polishing Machine and the Automatic HYDRASPLIT® Stone Splitting System were launched.
1997
The EAGLE II Block Saw and the CNC Automatic Profiler were launched.
1998
The ODYSSEY CNC Sawing, Routing, & Edging Shaping Machine and the JAGUAR Diamond Saw were launched.
1999
The 6301 facility was built to accommodate countertop customer growth and improve manufacturing systems and efficiency.
2000’s
2001
The ParkWay™ was established.
2002
The YUKON® II Semi-Auto Bridge Saw and the SIERRA® Manual Bridge Saw were launched.
2003
The 1st ThinStone machine was introduced to the market – a custom project for a long time customer that evolved into a major product line.
2004
Park Industries® was presented the ‘Good Samaritan Award’ from Catholic Charities of St. Cloud, MN.
2005
The VELOCITY® Decorative Edger was launched.
2006
“Board of Advisers” shifted to “Board of Directors” – providing a governance structure to align/balance.
PRO-EDGE® IV, the latest in Decorative Edger was introduced, along with the FUSION® WaterJet Series for countertops, and the TXS-4000 Series ThinStone Veneer Saw.
2007
The Pathfinder® Digital Slab Station was launched, along with the Architectural YUKON® II Semi-Auto Bridge Saw.
Park Industries® received a national award for ‘Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America’.
2010’s
2010
Park Industries® TXS Thin Veneer Saws were awarded a United States Patent.
2012
The TITAN® Fab Center CNC Saw + Router was launched.
Mike Schlough (son of Tom Schlough) and Joan Schatz accepted the position of Park Industries® Co-Presidents.
2013
HydroClear™ Water Clarification Systems were launched.
Park Industries® Celebrates 60th Anniversary.
2014
TITAN® CNC Router 2000 Series were launched.
2015
The FUSION® WaterJet receives the ‘Innovation Award’ of Greater St. Cloud, MN Development Corporation.
United Way awarded Park Industries® ‘Best in Show” for large companies in Central MN.
Tom Schlough receives 2015 ‘Migliore Award” for Lifetime Achievement.
2016
The SABER™ 5-Axis CNC Saw, FASTBACK® II Flat Edge Polisher, and Architectural FUSION® CNC SawJet Series were launched.
Park Industries® was awarded ‘Manufacture of the Year’ by Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association’s.
2017
The TXS-3000 Whisper ThinStone® Veneer Saw and RAPTOR were introduced.
6301 building starts facility expansion to increase capacity and improve manufacturing processes.
2018
The SABERjet™ CNC SawJet was introduced.
2019
The SABERjet™ XP CNC SawJet and the VOYAGER™ XP 5-Axis CNC Saw were launched.
2020’s
2020
Park Industries® launches numerous new solutions amidst COVID-19 Pandemic, including:
- TITAN® 3000 CNC Router Series
- HydroClear™ PRO Water Clarification Systems
- SIDE-SHOT™ Digital Slab Station
- CrossCut™ Miter Saw
Park Industries® named “Manufacturer of the Year” by Manufacturers Alliance of Minnesota.
2021
Milestone reached: Over 16,000 machines sold in North America.
2023
Park Industries® celebrates their 70th anniversary!
As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our dedication to providing innovative machines and solutions, technical education, and the highest level of service and support.
The JAVELIN™ CNC Sawjet, TITAN® 4000 CNC Router Series, and HydroClear™ PRO 400 Water Recycling System were launched.
2024
Park Industries® launches the SlabVision Slab Scanner.
SlabVision is the ultimate slab capture tool for stone fabricators, offering unparalleled precision imaging, effortless operation, and efficient slab inventory management, all in a compact design.