HSM history

The group, then called LaPorte County Threshermen, held their first show and reunion in 1957.

1960 | Hickory Springs starts pouring polyurethane foam.

After 32 years of training hospital interns, the program was restructured to become the Graduate Program in Hospital Administration in 1962.

1964 MHA Graduating Class

The La Porte County Historical Steam Society, Inc. was chartered as a not-for-profit organization on December 16, 1968 and the original La Porte County Threshermen club was absorbed and dissolved.

In 1969, the IRS granted recognition as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

1970 | Hickory Springs sets up an innerspring mattress plant, in mountainous Micaville, NC, separate from its furniture spring plants.

The Graduate Program in Hospital Administration became the Department of Health Administration in 1974. “Hospital” was also changed to “Health” in the names of the MHA and HAMIP programs.

The SHAY locomotive restoration was completed and dedicated August 30, 1975.

Construction on the new site started in 1977.

1978 | Hickory Springs begins wire-drawing operations, supplying products to its spring operations and enhancing the company’s vertical integration in the process.

1982 | Hickory Springs purchases the Spiller Spring Company and expands its footprint in the bedding industry.

1983 | Hickory Springs takes another step toward vertical integration by entering into a joint venture to run a plastics extrusion facility, Plastics Technology, Inc., that supports the packaging industry.

Command History Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN TWO (HSM-72) was originally established as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR TWO (HSL-42) on October 5, 1984, at Naval Station Mayport.

A $2.5 million fire on May 26, 1985 destroyed most of the large railroad equipment.

In 1986, the MHA was again reformatted to better utilize the faculty at the Fuqua School of Business.

It was fired up for the very first time in August 1987 and now serves as our regular locomotive for weekend operation.

The India locomotive was retired in 1988, after a crack developed in the copper firebox, not quite making it to 100 years of operation.

In 1991, the Department of Health Administration became the Department of Health Services Management (HSM). The MHA degree was retired, and the HSM program became available as a supplemental credential to students earning their Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at Fuqua.

1996 | Hickory Springs begins a multi-year run of successful innovation, including the design of a folding metal step for recreational vehicles.

In 1997, the program was renamed Health Sector Management, and continues to educate students in the business of health.

Also in 1998, work started on construction of an enclosed passenger coach for the 24" line.

So when the Board of Directors asked Ted Rita to become assistant GM, helping John Edris with most aspects of management in 2000, Ted accepted with a condition - it was time to restore and operate the Shay Locomotive.

2005 | Hickory Springs introduces Preserve®, the world’s first bio-based foam.

2006 was to be the museum’s 50th anniversary.

The museum saw completion of a new, beautiful, timber-framed, open depot / ticket booth for the 2007 season and the first “School Days” STEM field trip.

2012 | Hickory Springs acquires The C.E. White Co., a manufacturer of quality seating products for the commercial/transit and school bus markets.

On January 15, 2013, HSL-42 was re-designated HSM-72 and relocated to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, reflecting the squadron’s shift from the SH-60B to the MH-60R, and departure from the expeditionary construct, entering the world of Carrier Air Wing operations.

2014 | HSM celebrates its 70th anniversary with the opening of a new Corporate Foam Technology facility and introduces Transitional™ Sleep System adjustable beds, an example of the company’s commitment to innovation and delivering integrated solutions to the marketplace.

Mark Jones was named President and CEO of HSM in 2016 after serving as the interim president for a year.

2017 | HSM launched a new organizational model that established six new operating divisions: Hickory Springs, HSM Transportation & Specialty Manufacturing Solutions, HSM Diversified Solutions, Atlanta Attachment, HS Metalworks and HSM Logistics.