IDI Company History
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Company founded by John K. Merrell, Don Steele, and Ernie Kitterman in Noblesville, Indiana. Products were fabricated electrical insulation and distribution of electrical insulating materials.
John K. Merrell in the original plant located at 111 Conner Street in Noblesville. -
IDI purchased the above location in 1971 and continued to grow in the space through 2024. This was a 99,000 sq ft building.
We began the manufacture of Dielectrite® sheet material, which was our first venture into the production of raw materials. Dielectrite is available as a sheet or bulk molding compound.
Purchased our first computer system, an IBM System 3. -
A selection of stamped parts made by IDI, including motor end laminations, motor parts, terminal boards, switch bases, among others.
Acquired Cincinnati Development & Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer of bulk molding compound and flat electrical sheet and moved operations to Noblesville. -
Established Industrial Dielectrics of the West, Inc. in Anaheim, California.
Acquired the pultrusion assets of Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation Co. and moved them to Noblesville.
Don Steele, Vice President, John K. Merrell, President, Ernie Kitterman, Plant Manager meet with a Tooling Engineer.
Entered into our first long term contract with Delco Electronics. -
Received Q-1 Award from Ford Electrical & Electronic Division.
An aerial view looking southwest ofthe Noblesville facility.
Established IDI Caribe in Puerto Rico to manufacture Bulk Molding Compound for General Electric.
Entered into a joint venture with H. Clarke & Co. of Manchester, England.
Acquired Riggs-Lamoree Inc. of Los Angeles and merged them into IDI West. -
Acquired the Fabricating Division from Norplex/Oak.
Acquired the assets of Polymer Engineering Co. of Wolcott, Indiana.
Entered into an agreement with General Motors to qualify under their Targets for Excellence Programs.
Acquired the Thermoset Molding Compound assets of U.S. Polymeric Co., and moved them to Noblesville. -
John, Tom and Jay Merrell continue growing the company through sales and acquisitions.
IDI celebrates their 25th anniversary.
A major plant expansion of 30,000 sq. ft. was made in Noblesville, Indiana.
Established new manufacturing sites in Halesowen, U.K. and in Shenzhen, China.
IDI acquires the Norplex Division of Allied Signal located in Postville, Iowa. -
The Merrell family endows The John and Verna Merrell Scholarship for Purdue University.
IDI’s military approved Bulk Molding Compound is part of the International Space Station, orbiting 200 miles above earth.
Acquired the Bulk Molding Compounds assets of BIP.
Acquired the Micarta division of Westinghouse. -
IDI expands its global footprint with a plant in the U.K. and an expanded presence in China with headquarters in Shanghai. Acquired Menzolit operations in France and China.
Installed a new automated machine control and a human machine interface to enable highly efficient and accurate manufacturing processes. -
Construction of the new corporate headquarters and the expansion of the SMC and BMC manufacturing facilities in Noblesville completed.
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An oil painting of founder John K. Merrell was commissioned and hangs in the lobby of the corporate headquarters. John grew the business to become the global industry leader in thermoset composite materials with eight manufacturing locations around the world.
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IDI opens the 3i Composites Technology Center for the research and development of new and innovative materials.
IDI expands worldwide manufacturing capacity with a facility in Mexico.
IDI celebrates their 50th anniversary. -
IDI Develops Fortium High Glass Fiber Composites and Ultrium Carbon Fiber Composites.
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IDI Introduces Alluralite Lightweight Aesthetic Composites suitable for applications requiring a lightweight composite material with a high appearance grade.
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Flamevex Flame Resistant Lightweight Composites are introduced to address the demand for composites for electric, hybrid and new energy vehicles.
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IDI builds new state of the art facility and opens Montana Advanced Composites in Manhattan, Montana, just outside of Bozeman.
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IDI announces opening of new 120,000 square foot global headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology center.
