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Picture of Otto Colbert
Otto Colbert
Our Founder

 

  PanaVise Timeline

1956
Tool and die maker Otto Colbert founded Colbert Industries, Inc. (later to be called PanaVise Products, Inc.). To make his work easier, Otto needed to tilt, turn and rotate his die casting dies for repair. Thus, the famous "split ball" base was developed and patented.

1963
PanaVise begins exporting its products. Today PanaVise can be found in 25 countries around the world.

1972
PanaVise receives its second patent on the now famous 300 standard base.

1974
PanaVise develops a Circuit Board Holder as an interchangeable head for the 300 base, and becomes a "standard" in the electronics tool industry.

1978
Colbert Industries is purchased by Gary Richter, our current president. The name of the company is changed to PanaVise Products, Inc. and is relocated to Long Beach, California.

1980
PanaVise begins supplying mounts using the famous "split ball" to Federal Express for their Mobile Data Terminals (in-vehicle computers). This becomes the largest installed base of Mobile Data Terminals in the world, all held by PanaVise.

1981
PanaVise develops its first Mobile Phone Mount for Xyntel. This product later evolves into the PanaVise 320 Standard Phone Mount.

1982
PanaVise builds special mounts and bases for use in the U.S. space shuttle program.

1988
PanaVise develops the Slimline Cellular Phone Mount, which becomes the most successful product ever developed by PanaVise.

1990
PanaVise relocates from Long Beach, California to the high desert of Sparks, Nevada. This expands corporate facilites to 29,000 square feet.

1991
PanaVise enters the CCTV/Security industry with their own line of CCTV/Security Camera Mounts. Another PanaVise frontier is forged.

1992
The PanaVise 300 Base is redesigned once more to increase its holding power by 100% and it receives its third U.S. Patent on the "split ball" design.

1994
PanaVise develops the PVJr line of miniature vises, which quickly becomes the fastest selling Vise in its product line.

1995
PanaVise enters into the Sound industry with a new line of Speaker Mounts. A natural off shoot from their already successfull line of Cellular Phone Mounts and CCTV/Security Camera Mounts.

1996
PanaVise celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Ground is broken on a new 58,000 square foot manufacturing and administrative facility in Reno, Nevada.

1997
PanaVise moves all of its employees into the new facility in Reno, Nevada.

40th anniversary  Logo

From simple beginnings over 40 years ago, we have become the world leader in work holding products.

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