Elgin Industries is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, and from our founding in 1919 through today we have been dedicated to manufacturing world-class products for the engine rebuilding industry. Our founder, Martin Skok, was an automotive technician at an Elgin, Illinois-based vehicle dealership when he became frustrated with a serious shortage of high-quality replacement piston pins. Early pins were capable of delivering only a few thousand miles of service and vehicle owners were often forced to wait six months or longer to have their engines repaired. Skok rented space in a nearby factory and quickly developed the processes required to produce high-quality, long-lasting replacement pins. He soon expanded into a variety of other products, including oil pumps, push rods, timing components, king pin sets, steering gear sets, and pistons. He designed and developed a prototype for one of the industry’s first electrical starter motors. As his company grew, Skok played key roles in supporting other early manufacturing pioneers. In fact, a few of the biggest brands in the engine rebuilding industry can trace their histories to early financial and other support from Martin Skok. He later helped raise the industry’s profile on the world stage through the iconic Elgin Piston Pin Special, which competed with significant success in the Indianapolis 500 for many years. We were among the first manufacturer members of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) and the Auto Care Association, and remain a member today. Ninety-five years later and now a global OE and aftermarket manufacturer, Elgin is still owned and operated by the Skok family, including Martin Skok’s son, Martin Skok Jr., who is chairman; and grandchildren Bill Skok, Tom Skok and Cheryl Hogrewe.