Electrical engineer Ed White, a former Harvard University research assistant and employee of the trailblazing Farnsworth Radio and Television Corporation, started Bowmar in his Fort Wayne, IN., garage in 1951 at the age of 23.
Six months later, after initially investing $3,500 of his own money and borrowing $6,500 from friends, the expanding business was moved to a loft in an aircraft hangar and later, increasingly larger spaces. The business presently resides in an 80,000 square foot facility, since 1956.
The company's initial focus was the design and manufacture of fine-pitch precision gearing for commercial and defense aerospace applications. Typical product applications were instruments, counters and gear heads. Over time, as cockpit controls migrated towards electromechanical and electronic technologies, the company developed competence in those areas.
Bowmar's precision devices have been applied in a variety of landmark products, including the F-4, F-15, F-16, A-10, F-18, F-22, various commercial aircraft including the Boeing 747, 737 and 787, Bombardier business jets and Virginia Class Submarines. Bowmar's products went to the moon on the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module. Since its inception, Bowmar's primary market has remained aerospace and defense.
Over the years, Bowmar has gone through a number of changes, including acquisitions and mergers that ultimately led to a new name, White Electronic Designs Corporation. In 2010, White Electronic Designs Corporation reached agreement to sell the original Fort Wayne business to a group of Fort Wayne investors, the Main Street Venture Fund, and the Bowmar name returned to the aerospace market. The intent of the Main Street Venture Fund was to rebuild the business, maintain the local employment, and preserve the industry expertise that had been developed over 60 years. Significant investment have been made since 2010 to position Bowmar to grow and serve its customers for many years to come.
“I am happy to be an integral part of the Bowmar team and excited to continue the companies growth with the high quality critical function assemblies for the Aerospace and Defense markets.” Vern Fleming, Director of Sales and Business Development
Bowmar established in Fort Wayne, IN, by founder Ed White to produce precision gearing and gear assemblies.
Public offering: Bowmar Instrument Corporation listed on AMEX.
Developed switch patent for keyboards; technology applied to hi-rel applications, including aerospace applications enhancing the tactile feel for pilots of both military and commercial aircraft.
Corporate offices moved to Phoenix, and Bowmar acquired White Technologies, a producer of custom memory devices.
Bowmar Corporation merged with Electronic Designs, Inc., changing the corporate name to White Electronic Designs. The Fort Wayne family is named the Electromechanical Products Division (EPD).
EPD is acquired by Main Street Venture Fund, a Fort Wayne based venture group whose mission is to retain and regain ownership of area business.
The Fort Wayne business is renamed Bowmar, LLC.
Added significant contract for 787 aircraft gear heads for flap positioning sensors.
Added significant contract for Comac 919 aircraft Flap, Slat control lever assembly.
Added significant contract for secure communication panels for C130 aircraft.
Established FMS channel partner for Japanese market with 323 Global/Nagata.
Began development and addition of strategic leadership team focused on growth and continual improvement including:
Began investing in Nist 800-171 and CMMC certification to level III.
Despite the effects of Covid on the Aerospace market had record booking year within the past fifteen years.
Established FMS channel partners for the balance of Asian and European markets with Unical Defense and Blue Aerospace.
AS9100 Audit Re-Certification.