Building Business Leaders
Origin Story
Our success is driven by our ability to adapt and pivot depending on market trends. The best way to protect the company owners is to grow profits and shareholder value over time. We do this by diversifying across markets and developing a deep knowledge of how business works. Employees here are part of the solution, and we look forward to the new business partners we will meet on our journey.
Timeline
1966
It all began when Grace Engineering was founded by Louis and Richard Grace in Memphis, Michigan.
1976
Grace Engineering opens Grace Manufacturing in Russellville, AR, as a metal etching factory to manufacture the latest technology in impact printer parts.
1980
Grace Manufacturing assembled all 9-pin pro-printer heads for IBM and Lexmark. Later this decade, laser and ink-jet printers begin to take over the market.
1990
When the etched printer head market started to drop, Grace turned to contract and OEM manufacturing. For example, Grace began manufacturing bone saw blades for customers like 3M Surgical and Hall.
1991
Richard Grace invented a new chemically-etched wood shaver rasp. The manufacturing process was patented, and the name Microplane was trademarked.
1994
Lee Valley Tools, a woodworking retailer, discovered that the Microplane woodworking tool could do double duty in the kitchen as a zester.
1999
The New York Times reports on the new kitchen tool sought after by Culinary Professionals. Microplane zesters go mainstream in housewares, selling to Kitchen retailers globally.
2001
Grace Manufacturing splits into two different independently run businesses. Grace Manufacturing – Contract and Microplane.
2003
Richard Grace finalizes his succession planning and passes the business to his son Chris Grace. Richard Grace, although retired, continues to mentor the executive team.
2005
Microplane kitchen tools go international. A distribution center opens in Hamburg, Germany, to serve European customers better. This move starts the business now known as Microplane Germany.
2008
With even more worldwide demand for Microplane kitchen tools, a new production facility opens in Queretaro, Mexico, now known as Microplane Mexico.
2009
Microplane opens a distribution warehouse on the Mexico/US border in Mcallen, Texas. This warehouse serves retailers and distributors across the globe.
2011
With a new warehouse and a strong history of manufacturing and assembly, Grace Manufacturing acquires three small medical product companies. Kensington Medical is formed and located in Mcallen, Texas.
2015
Grace Manufacturing Contract acquires Greenwald Surgical, based in Indiana. Greenwald has been in business for more than 80 years that manufactures urological and electrosurgical instruments.
2017
Implemented a company-wide initiative to use open-book management actively. Utilizing the Jack Stack Great Game of Business philosophy of how to have a better business and culture by teaching financial knowledge to all employees.
2018
Chris and Sandra Grace decide to sell the company back to the employees, creating a trust where the employees own 100% of the company. Each employee is a part owner and has a stake in the success or failure of the business.
2019
Grace Manufacturing acquires Mudbusters based in Tempe, Arizona. Mudbusters is a leading manufacturer of fender flares and mudguards in the growing UTV market and is best known for protecting people and products from mud and trail dirt.
2021
Grace Manufacturing acquires Signs Plus in Arizona and Arkansas Sign and Banner. These businesses manufacture and install signs for franchises, national chains, and local companies.
2022
A decision is made to create a corporate level entity to drive acquisition and corporate wide strategy called Grace Stakeholder Investments.
2022
Grace Manufacturing acquires Dog Tag Art based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in 2008 with a mission to keep best friends together, Dog Tag Art allows users to submit their art for fully customizable and personalized Pet ID tags. They also developed a software called virtual leash.