History of Materion

[Virtual Presenter] Materion's history began many years ago, and it will be explored from its early days to the present. To start, let's look back at its beginnings..

[Audio] In 1921, Charles Brush, Jr. and Dr. Charles Baldwin Sawyer pioneered the extraction of beryllium from ore, producing beryllium metal, oxide, and master alloys, marking the beginning of Brush Laboratories. The company's early years were marked by significant growth, with the incorporation of Brush Beryllium Company in Cleveland, Ohio in 1931. During this period, beryllium oxide materials were used in radio tubes and other applications, generating $12000 in annual sales in 1933. Additionally, beryllium copper was used in US Defense efforts, including the production of forged aircraft engine bushings and cast brake and clutch rings for navy marine diesels, resulting in $65000 in annual sales in 1936. As the industry continued to evolve, beryllium was discovered to be the ideal material for heat shields on early space capsules. The initial production site was established in Lorain, Ohio, with the Elmore facility opening in 1955. Furthermore, metallic beryllium and beryllium oxide were used by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II, generating $3.6 million in revenue in 1950 and $16 million in annual sales in 1955..

[Audio] In the 1960s, our company experienced high demand for its products due to the rapid advancements in space exploration and defense technology. This led to significant growth, with annual sales reaching $28.7 million. One notable achievement during this period was when Commander Alan B. Shepard became the first American to fly into space. The re-entry surface of his spacecraft was made possible by the use of Brush-produced heat shields, shingles, and plates of beryllium. In addition, race car driver A.J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 in 1964 using brakes produced by Brush Materials, which were known for their resistance to heat and light weight. Finally, in 1969, we developed bertrandite ore deposits in Utah, constructing a new ore mine and processing mill. This made us the only fully integrated producer of beryllium, beryllium-containing alloys, and beryllia ceramic, no longer reliant on foreign ore sources..

[Audio] In the 1970s, Brush targeted the auto industry and mainframe computer industry for its ceramics and copper-based alloys. This strategy proved successful, as sales reached $40.9 million. Brush then acquired the Wellman division of Abex Corporation, becoming Brush Wellman. In 1972, the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sales continued to rise, reaching $65 million in 1974, primarily driven by the Poseidon missile program. Furthermore, automakers started utilizing beryllium ceramics in electronic ignition systems, resulting in a 20% improvement in vehicle fuel economy..

[Audio] In this period, we expanded our global presence by establishing new offices in Germany, England, and Japan. This move allowed us to better serve our customers and increase our market share. We also made significant progress in the aerospace industry, as beryllium metal, alloys, and ceramic parts flew on NASA's new Space Shuttle in 1981. Electronic-related end-use markets became the largest single customer sector for Brush by 1987. To support our growth in Asia, we formed Brush Wellman Singapore in 1992, providing local service and distribution in Southeast Asia. During the 1980s and 1990s, we invested heavily in expanding our facilities and acquiring new manufacturing operations in the United States. We opened new facilities in cities such as Tucson, Arizona; Lincoln, Rhode Island; Buffalo, New York; Fremont, California; Lorain, Ohio; and Brewster, New York. These investments enabled us to increase our production capacity and improve our operational efficiency..

[Audio] In the year 2000, Brush Engineered Materials was formed. The company then expanded its presence in Asia by establishing distribution, services, and sales organizations in various countries over the next few years. This move aimed to cater to the growing market in the region. Several strategic acquisitions also took place during this period, further solidifying the company's position. These acquisitions occurred in locations including Ireland, California, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Mexico, England, Germany, and China. In 2010, Materion entered into a public-private venture with the US Department of Defense, focusing on the development of a beryllium pebble plant at the Elmore facility. This partnership marked a significant milestone in the company's history. Finally, in 2011, Brush Engineers Materials officially changed its name to Materion Corporation, signaling a new era for the organization..

[Audio] Materion has continued its growth through strategic acquisitions. One such acquisition was made in September 2021, when we acquired H.C. Starck's Electronic Materials Portfolio. This portfolio brings with it a strong reputation as a technology and material science leader, delivering high-quality products and services to the semiconductor, industrial, and aerospace & defense markets. The addition of this portfolio further solidifies our position as a leading provider of materials and solutions..