BW Industries was established in 1968 by Bill Winnerberg as an industrial distribution business.

In 1991 BW Industries, Inc was purchased by Ken LeBeau. Continuing the focus on industrial and institutional accounts, Ken proceeded with the expansion of the business. In an effort to augment his industrial business, in 1992 he purchased his first engraving machine.

The engraving business continued to grow and in 1995 the need arose to expand physically with the purchase of a second computerized engraving machine. A third engraving machine was purchased in 1997 to further enhance the companies’ response time and flexibility. This new engraving machine also allowed BW to engrave stainless steel.

Spurred by a customer’s request, in 1997, BW started evaluating silkscreened graphic faceplates. BW was already producing reverse engraved lexan panel graphics for several OEM’s, but because of intense labor and machine time, our current engraved product offering did not lend itself to the large quantity demands necessary for most OEM’s.

After considerable research and evaluation, 3 pieces of digital equipment were purchased to compete with the silkscreen market. Late that same year we purchased two additional pieces of equipment to solidify our digital printing process. Now, in addition to an established engraving business, we had an emerging process that complimented our industrial graphic product line. Eric Robertson accepted the assignment to head up the new Inst-A-Screen division.

After several years of refinement, Eric has driven the digital product offering to a very formidable competitor to silk screening.

Continuing to pursue product enhancements, BW bought a 24” x 36” laser engraver, improving productivity, quality and ability to engrave most metals.