Company History
Every company has a beginning,but few start in the back of a station wagon. From those modest roots in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stiles Machinery has grown to be a nationwide leader through decades of innovation, partnership, and customer-focused evolution.
1965
Stiles Machinery Inc. was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a division of Web Stiles, Inc. Back then, Mr. Stiles' parts inventory and showroom were in the rear of his station wagon.
1975
Peter Kleinschmidt purchased the company on behalf of the Lohmann International Trading Group based in London and later took over the company as President in a management buy-out in partnership with David Rothwell, then Executive Vice President. The two partners made strategic investments to enhance Stiles Parts and Service capabilities focusing on specific customer needs.
1990
Stiles Education, which would become Stiles University, was founded. It was the first training center in the industry to be accredited by IACET, helping manufacturers educate and retain their personnel. Today, Stiles University offers a range of accredited in-person courses as well as online and on-site offerings.
1992
Holzma US merges with Stiles Machinery to better serve the panel-sizing market and expand the company's offerings.
2006
Stiles launched the solid wood processing industry with the KENTWOOD brand as a direct response to customers who require advanced solid wood machinery solutions in addition to their traditional panel processing needs.
2009
Weeke North America was established as a joint venture between Stiles and Weeke Maschinenbau of the Homag Group AG. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, the 30,000-square-foot operation would later become the HOMAG North America facility, utilizing locally sourced parts to produce machines to order while still offering short delivery times.
2014
The HOMAG Group AG increased its shareholding in Stiles to 100 percent, intensifying the successful partnership that has been in place for over 30 years.
After 52 years in the industry, Peter Kleinschmidt retired as President. He sees the HOMAG Group as the ideal partner to build on his life’s achievement and continue the customer focused growth strategies for the future. Peter Kleinschmidt remains on the Board of Directors.
Christian Vollmers succeeds Mr. Kleinschmidt as president of Stiles.
2018
Stiles Machinery introduces new logo and brand identity, designed to communicate their being part of the HOMAG Group.
2020
Stiles partners with Canadian robotic automation provider AutomaTech Robotik to pair HOMAG CNC machinery with part and material handling KUKA robots.
2021
Daniel Schmitt is named CEO of HOMAG, ushering in a new chapter of leadership within the HOMAG Group.
2022
Stiles Digital introduces HOMAG iX software to the US market. A result of HOMAG’s partnership with imos, HOMAG iX is a revolutionary CAD/CAM software that allows designers and customers to experience a finished piece or space through images and augmented or virtual reality.
2024
Stiles Machinery names Barry Kellar as its new President, overseeing all North American operations of the HOMAG Group, including Stiles Machinery, HOMAG Canada, and HOMAG Machinery North America.
