Evolution of the INDAK Group

INDAK Manufacturing Corporation was formed in 1947 by brothers-in-law Jesse Cobb and John Soreng.  With help from Soreng Products, (a manufacturer of appliance controls and switches) INDAK started building automotive switches.

In the 1950’s high current blower switches became an INDAK specialty.  Demand for multiple blower speeds inspired INDAK to design and manufacture blower speed control resistors as an alternative to two-speed blower motors.

INDAK also pioneered key switches for lawn tractors, and we are still the industry leader.  Other lawn and garden products include power take off (PTO), headlight, and general-purpose plunger and accessory switches.

In 1962, due to rapidly growing sales, INDAK formed Piedmont Automotive Products in Clarkesville, Georgia.  Piedmont assembled products for INDAK, and eventually began stamping component parts.  Piedmont did so well that Southern Switches was established in 1964 to follow Piedmont’s example.  Like Piedmont, Southern has made millions of blower switches, resistors and other products.

As INDAK products became more sophisticated, molded plastic parts gradually replaced metal stampings.  In 1972, Techny Plastics was started to supply INDAK with plastic parts.  Today Techny molds 25,000 parts per day, and has a well equipped tool room for mold maintenance and new mold construction.

In the 1980’s, INDAK began production of complete automotive climate control units, including blower switches, vacuum switches, decorating and backlighting. Several INDAK products contain over 100 individual components.  This manufacturing complexity led to a complete overhaul of INDAK’s quality system, and resulted in Ford’s Q-1 award for INDAK, Piedmont and Southern Switches. Today these plants, as well as Techny Plastics, are all QS 9000 certified.

By the early 1990’s automotive switches and climate controls were rapidly gaining electronic content.  INDAK responded to our customer’s needs by acquiring Borg Instruments.  Borg Instruments manufactures automotive clocks, electronic climate control systems & components, and assembles cellular phone & automotive engine control modules for "first tier" suppliers.  Borg is QS 9000 certified and has received many awards from Honda, Ford, GM and others.

INDAK’s growing European sales resulted in the formation of INDAK Manufacturing (Europe) GmbH in 1997.  Located in Halstenbek, Germany (near Hamburg) INDAK Europe warehouses, assembles and distributes INDAK and Borg INDAK products to the European market.