SDI History
Timeline
Mid 1950’s: SDI founded
- Created movie special effects
1988: Organized into two divisions
- Aerospace Division and Automotive Division
1998: Acquired by J.F. Lehman & Co.
- John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan
2001: Established SDI-Molan GmbH & Co. KG
- a Joint Venture with Molan
2002: Established SDI Thailand Co. Ltd.
- manufacturing and distribution
2006: Organized into three divisions
- Automotive, Aerospace, Mining & Blasting
2008 Acquired by Wayzata Investment Partners
2009 Successfully Re-organized under Chapter 11
- Automotive Operations consolidated in Mesa
2010 Aerospace Business Unit Divested
- Ensign Bickford
Mid-1950’s: Hollywood special effects
Early 1960’s: Space and tactical missile systems
Late 1980’s: Automotive airbag initiators
Late 1990’s: Automotive micro-gas generators
2003: Production for Mining & Blasting Electronic Ignition Module
2004: Re-entered aerospace market