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MSC Industrial Direct Co company history timeline

1941

When Sid Jacobson began selling cutting tools from the trunk of his car in 1941, he operated with integrity, respect and a commitment to each customer.

1945

When he too was drafted, the reins were handed over to a sister, who ran the company until Jacobson was released from the service after the war was over in 1945.

1964

1964: First "Big Book" is mailed.

1976

At this point, in 1976, Jacobson's son Mitchell Jacobson, a recent graduate of New York University School of Law, joined the company on a fulltime basis, having previously worked summers and holidays while attending Brandeis University and law school.

1978

In 1970 Sid Tool acquired another cutting tool marketer, Manhattan Supply Company, to serve as a vehicle to increase the distribution of its imported cutting tool business. It was also in 1978 that MSC became one of the first distributors in the country to launch a fully integrated Quality Assurance Department.

1982

In 1982 Mitchell Jacobson replaced his father as president of the company.

1995

1995: Company is taken public.

1996

In June 1996 the company acquired D.T.C. Tool Corp. and Cut-Rite Tool Corp.

1997

1997: Plainview distribution center is relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

1998

But it was during the summer of 1998 that the company stumbled.

1999

Although a major acquisition may have fallen through, MSC completed a pair of deals in 1999, paying $428,000 for Direct Line, Inc. and $6.2 million for Corbin Corporation.

2004

It was also during 2004 that Mitchell Jacobson gave up the presidency to COO David Sandler, relinquishing day-to-day responsibilities to concentrate on strategic planning while retaining the chairmanship and the CEO title.

The balance sheet improved even further in 2004, with sales reaching $955.3 million and net income soaring to $82.2 million.

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Founded
1941
Company founded
Headquarters
Melville, NY
Company headquarter
Founders
Sidney Jacobson,Matthew Sherman
Company founders
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MSC Industrial Direct Co competitors

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Moody International Group1911$4.2B12,000-
Essendant1922$5.0B-33
Acme United1867$194.5M552-
Whirlpool1911$16.6B78,000206
IDEX1987$3.3B7,075402
The Home Depot1978$159.5B500,00125,139
Owens & Minor1882$10.7B17,900714
Cardinal Health1971$226.8B48,0006,671
Cintas1968$9.6B40,0002,312
Medline1910$11.7B28,000715

MSC Industrial Direct Co history FAQs

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MSC Industrial Direct Co may also be known as or be related to MSC Industrial Direct, MSC Industrial Direct Co, MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc, MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc., MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Msc Industrial Supply Co.