THG Corporation: 75 Years and Growing

Today the company is known as THG Corporation. When it was founded in 1933 it was called the Fitchburg Rubber Company. Over the years as industry changed and the company adjusted to the changing requirements of its customers, the name changed to
Hope Rubber Company, The Hope Company, The Hope Group and today, THG Corporation.

What hasn’t changed is the ownership. The Rhoten family founded the company 75 years ago and Carey Rhoten and Peter Rhoten, sons of the founders, continue to operate the privately held company. Carey Rhoten is the Chairman of the corporation and Peter Rhoten is President of
Hope Air Systems, one of the member companies of THG Corporation.

Let’s celebrate 75 Years
To mark its 75th Diamond Anniversary, the company said it has set goals to open its sixth retail store, acquire a complimentary industrial distributorship and increase annual revenues to exceed $45 million in total sales.

“This is an exciting time for our company and it’s appropriate that we commit ourselves to a year-long celebration focusing on whom and what makes us successful every day,” said Carey Rhoten, Chairman of THG, the parent corporation of The Hope Group LLC, Hope Air Systems LLC and Sorensen Systems LLC.

It was in 1933 when Carey and Peter Rhoten’s parents, “Doc” and Elizabeth, bought and renamed the company that eventually became known as The Hope Group and in 2005 as THG Corporation. At the time of its founding, the Fitchburg Rubber Company sold tires and other products for consumer and commercial customers. A lot has changed since then.

Changes Over the Years
Over the years it discarded some product lines and added others and in the process changed its name to the Hope Rubber Company, which was a name that reflected on its antecedent company, which was founded in Rhode Island in the city of Hope. With the addition of product lines from Parker Hannifin and air compressors from Kaeser, the company became one of New England’s largest independent industrial distributors.

During the 1980’s an increased emphasis was placed on the engineering and fabrication capabilities that permitted The Hope Group to enter the motion and control system solutions business more fully. Through acquisition and organic growth over the years, the company grew to a $40 million business with six locations in four New England states. Included as part of the group are Bosworth Fluid Connectors of Rhode Island and The Leen Company of Maine.

Growth is Part of the Plan
The 75th Anniversary year will see a 20 percent growth in total sales according to Anthony Cantone, President of The Hope Group.“Through a combination of acquisition, expansion and increased direct sales, we expect to grow revenues by 20 percent for fiscal 2008,” said Cantone. “This will continue our heritage as the leading independent hydraulic, pneumatic and industrial fluid connector distributor in the New England six-state region,” he added.“There is so much to celebrate it will take all year to do it,” said Carey Rhoten. “We plan a special Open House and Trade Show at our headquarters and a similar event at our Portland location, home of The Leen Company,” he added. The company plans to mix business with social activities including a special 75th Employee Recognition Night event, scheduled to be held in October.

Open House Planned
The Open House at the headquarters location in Northborough, MA is set for October 2008 and will be an opportunity for customers, vendors and employees to learn about the history of THG Corporation and its plans for growth in the coming years according to Tony Cantone. “To remain competitive you must understand the changing markets and develop responses that support your customers current and future needs,” said Cantone.

Other activities and events planned to mark the occasion of the 75th year of its founding are trips by employees to special events, selected sales events for each member company, recognition events for retirees and employees as well as monthly prizes, special publications and surprises.