SPX Subaru - History of Kent-Moore

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Fred Hinkley, an accomplished inventor, was looking for financial backing to produce his new invention, a portable cylinder roboring machine. Dr. Myers, a prominent physician, had capital and was looking to invest in new ventures. The two met and formed a partnership known as Hinkley-Myers Company. This one partnership set the stage for the success of a company and brand of tools from SPX, we know today as Kent-Moore.

Originally established just prior to the first World War, Hinkley-Myers attracted new business from many markets, including the rapidly growing automotive market. At this time the first flat rate service tool program was established with Ford. This program required all dealers to have the proper tools for vehicle repair. The program became so successful that businesses from other car companies began to flood Hinkley-Myers with similar tool programs. The development of new accounts, the flood on new design orders and manufacturing modifications became a heavy burden and threatened to exhaust the available capital. The profits from the Ford program were unable to offset the new costs and in 1923 the cash short company was forced to suspend operations. At this time, the company was represented by two commissioned salesman, John Moore and William Kent,whose offices were in the General Motors building in Detroit. They coordinated the campaign that would introduce Chevrolet to the "flat rate" concept nationwide.

Days after Hinkley-Myers was closed, Chevrolet approved the set of tools Hinkley-Myers designed before they suspended operations. Interruption of this campaign would mean intolerable delay and expense for Chevrolet. Since none of the tools were protected by patent, Kent and Moore took the approved samples to a fabricator in Kalamazoo for production. The contract with Chevrolet was met by the efforts of Kent and Moore and the program was a success. At this time, John Moore and William Kent established the Kent-Moore organization.

Today Kent-Moore is a global provider of tools and equipment to numerous original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry as well as the agricultural, industrial and recreational markets around the world. They are the leader in the development and distribution of special service tool programs in the automotive industry.

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