History
A HISTORY OF GROWTH IN THE PRECISION MACHINED PARTS INDUSTRY
Camco Founded
Bud Hawley opens Camco on North Avenue in Chicago.
Camco becomes Camcraft
Camcraft Expands
Camcraft moves to Franklin Park
New Owner
Bern and Jeanne Bertsche purchase Camcraft in December 1986 from Olive Hawley
Market Focus
Camcraft focuses on the mobile hydraulics market. Success in this market leads to a significant transformation of Camcraft’s customer base, moving us forward into hydraulic automotive applications and subsequently into high-pressure diesel fuel systems.
Camcraft Grows
Camcraft moves into its newly constructed headquarters in Hanover Park.
Employee Development
Camcraft initiates its formal technical training program. Basic Certification, Technical Certification, and Accredited Journeyman Apprenticeship Certification is awarded to employees who successfully complete the program.
Student Outreach
Camcraft initiates its student outreach program for local fifth and sixth grade students from Parkwood Elementary School. This leans Bern and Jeanne to form Crossroads Kids Club as a way to continue building relationships with the community. Crossroads now meets weekly in over 45 schools 
New President
Mike Bertsche named president of Camcraft.
Increased Automation
Automated inspection, assembly, and machine tending are added to meet our customers’ quality, cost, and production requirements. Our initial small steps into automation led to significant investments in automating processes throughout the company. Camcraft ultimately purchased Matrix, aimed at making robotic automation more accessible.
Investment Initiative
At the urging of a board member, the company begins an aggressive reinvestment initiative into the latest machine tools, metrology, and tooling in order to compete with the top firms in our industry world-wide.
Operational Excellence
Camcraft launches our E2B2 continuous improvement initiative in 2012. Everybody, Everyday, Getting Better and Better encourages and engages all of our employees to make our workplace safer, more productive, and helps us deliver the highest level of quality to our customers.
Matrix Design Acquired
Camcraft wins IndustryWeek’s Best Plants Award
Camcraft & Matrix Expand
Camcraft expands into our new facility in Bartlett which is shared with Matrix. Entered Aerospace & Defense Markets
Achieved AS9100 certification
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration
Bartlett Plant Expansion
Added 54,000 sq. ft. to created a turning and finishing plant in Bartlett, and a plant focused on machining larger, complex components from castings, forgings, and extrusions in Hanover Park.