The History of H.G. Makelim

A History of H. G. Makelim Co.

We are a service-oriented company with a tradition of excellence since 1922.

2000s

H. G. Makelim Co. enters the Rocky Mountain and Northern States with industrial engines, diesel fuel injection and rotating electrical product lines.

1990s

Bob Hess retires in 1991. Bob's sons, Chuck and Jim, take over the business and begin major expansion efforts gaining new, key products lines including Kubota Engine America.

1980s

H. G. Makelim Company expands its operations into Southern California. Growth spurs another move to the existing South San Francisco headquarters.

1970s

As the company continues to grow, it moves to a larger facility in South San Francisco. H. G. Makelim Co. also becomes one of the first distributors to implement an automated business system.

1960s

The company shifts its focus from a repair business to distribution and begins setting up service dealers throughout their territory.

1959

H.G. Makelim Co. is awarded the Kohler Engine line for Northern California.

1958

H.G. Makelim Co. becomes the first central distributor in the West for Robert Bosch.

1957

Howard sells the company to Bob Hess, who had garnered industry experience working for American Bosch. Bob’s vision to expand the company into a diversified automotive, diesel fuel injection and industrial parts distributorship results in the acquisition of additional product lines for distribution.

1950s

The business continues to grow throughout the decade and H.G. Makelim Co. becomes one of the country’s largest American Bosch dealers.

1930s

Howard develops his own product line of Makelim Magneto Test Equipment, many of which are still operating in service dealers today.

1922

Howard G. Makelim begins servicing magnetos in a small repair shop located in San Francisco. His high-quality service becomes well known to major manufacturers. Eiseman, Wico, Robert Bosch, American Bosch and Fairbanks Morse appoint Howard their service dealer.

2000s	H. G. Makelim Co. enters the Rocky Mountain and Northern States with industrial engines, diesel fuel injection and rotating electrical product lines.
1990s	Bob Hess retires in 1991. Bob's sons, Chuck and Jim, take over the business and begin major expansion efforts gaining new, key products lines including Kubota Engine America.
1980s	H. G. Makelim Company expands its operations into Southern California. Growth spurs another move to the existing South San Francisco headquarters.
1970s	As the company continues to grow, it moves to a larger facility in South San Francisco. H. G. Makelim Co. also becomes one of the first distributors to implement an automated business system.
1960s	The company shifts its focus from a repair business to distribution and begins setting up service dealers throughout their territory.
1959	H.G. Makelim Co. is awarded the Kohler Engine line for Northern California.
1958	H.G. Makelim Co. becomes the first central distributor in the West for Robert Bosch.
1957	Howard sells the company to Bob Hess, who had garnered industry experience working for American Bosch. Bob’s vision to expand the company into a diversified automotive, diesel fuel injection and industrial parts distributorship results in the acquisition of additional product lines for distribution.
1950s	The business continues to grow throughout the decade and H.G. Makelim Co. becomes one of the country’s largest American Bosch dealers.
1930s	Howard develops his own product line of Makelim Magneto Test Equipment, many of which are still operating in service dealers today.
1922	Howard G. Makelim begins servicing magnetos in a small repair shop located in San Francisco. His high-quality service becomes well known to major manufacturers. Eiseman, Wico, Robert Bosch, American Bosch and Fairbanks Morse appoint Howard their service dealer.