M.D. Manufacturing, Inc. Central Vacuum History Timeline.

Charles would make elaborate metal toys for his sons.

Charles Emdy, a master metal worker, made his first central vacuum prototype out
of a wooden box to prove his concept. Finding success, he purchased 12 motors from
Ametek and started M.D. Manufacturing in his garage in North Hollywood.

The first 100 units had a huge 14-inch decal on the front
MD produced the first 2-motor unit
MD produced the first unit with dual intake necks
1963 MD started its first dealership

Marketing materials developed and dealerships grew:

1971 Wayne Emdy, Charles' son, purchased the business from his father
1976 Business moved to Sunland, California, and settled into it's first shop
1976 First non-family members hired
1978 Wayne quit local installing to concentrate on dealers and distributors
1978 MD becomes an early computer adopter with its billing and inventory system
1978 Sales of units expand to Hayden in Canada
1979 Business moved to North Hollywood on Magnolia Blvd.
1979 AirMaster and Flo-Master brand initiated

Growth and expansion - First distribution to nationwide distributors:

1981 Moved factory to Sun Valley, California
1983 The company began exhibiting and teaching seminars at VDTA
(Vacuum Dealers Trade Association)
1983 Fire at Sun Valley Plant destroyed all tooling and inventory. Units
began shipping two weeks later from operations back at Charlie's garage.
1987 Wayne Emdy receives patent for first quiet central vacuum
and SilentMaster brand
1987 Factory moves to much larger facility in Bakersfield, California

New Beginnings:

Rapidly expanding international sales
1992 Wayne Emdy passes away and is succeeded by Grant Olewiler
as General Manager
1994 MD begins sales of incredible new Stealth power brush
1995 Wayne and Charles Emdy inducted into the VDTA Hall of Fame
1995 Charles Emdy quits sewing the cloth bags for units at age 89
1996 MD starts builtinvacuum.com / centralvacuuum.com

Internal Growth:

2001 Shipments of MD Vacuums begin into China
2004 MD received new "AirForce" patent for quieting vacuum motors
2006 First report of broken belt on a Stealth after 12 years
2006 MD introduces new patented CentraMop and MantaMop
2007 New Warehouse Management Software benefits all customers
2009 MD completes construction of new USA facility
2010 MD promotes Brian Graves to General Manager, and Grant Olewiler becomes President
2011 MD celebrates 50th Anniversary

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