COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 335991

Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

4companies1948–1988founding years4still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedHexcel Corporation
1948
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedZoltek Companies, Inc.
1976
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedThe Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc.
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Asbury Carbons, Inc. →
Active
Based in the small town of Asbury, New Jersey, Asbury Carbons, Inc.
Hexcel Corporation →
Active · founded 1948
Hexcel Corporation is the worldwide leader in the manufacture of advanced structural composites.
Zoltek Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Zoltek Companies Inc.
The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc.
Build It Today

Starting a carbon and graphite product manufacturing company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories with today's tools and capital.