Engineered Industrial Products, Inc. was incorporated in 1961 as a rep firm covering southern California, Clark County Nevada and Arizona, but has its origins back in 1945 as a sole proprietorship started by Dick Cox.  Our longest principal relationship, with Peerless-Winsmith, began in 1945.  In 1958 George Stearns joined Dick, incorporating 3 years later.  Dick sold his stock to George a few years later and moved to Ketchikan, Alaska to become a fishing and hunting guide.  During the late 60’s EIP opened the first Winsmith Assembly Center to improve service to the western states and expanded our territory coverage to include northern California and all of Nevada.  George subsequently sold EIP to James S. Jones in 1974 and retired in 1980 to become a citrus grower in the lower desert region of Southern California.

Through all of the early years EIP’s product mix was both power transmission products and crane/hoist components.  During the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s Jim Jones focused that mix on power transmission, primarily gearing, expanded the warehouse services portion of EIP’s business, and grew our overall sales volume roughly five fold to about $6,000,000.  During the mid 70’s EIP also began to represent manufacturers of a new and problematic technology called variable frequency drives for AC motors.  In 1981 EIP began its long term relationship with Dow Corning Corp., supporting distribution with sealants and lubricants.

In 1994, Jim sold EIP to Duncan MacDonald and Kurt Fisher, two existing territory managers for EIP.  Sales continued to grow and opportunities expanded our mix of power transmission, electrical controls, and motion control products.  EIP also expanded its warehouse, assembly services, electrical and motion control products expertise and expertise in lubricants and silicone adhesive, sealing and rubber technologies.  During this time EIP began its long term relationships with Joyce Dayton Corp., AMI Bearing, Camco/Ferguson, Hilliard, and Ralphs-Pugh Co.

In 2002, EIP merged with the Norman Rupp Co., a rep firm in the Northwest covering Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with its own roots dating back to 1956.  David Rupp, the second generation owner of the Norman Rupp Co. is now a stock holder of EIP and continues to manage the northwest region.

By 2008, EIP’s sales had grown to over $30,000,000, with a staff of over 25 people, and two warehouses totaling over 40,000 square feet in Cerritos, CA and Tualatin, OR.