The History of JP CorporationJP Corporation is 3rd-generation family owned-and-operated. It began as Starkey Tool & Die in 1946; founded by Francis D. Starkey. Mr. Starkey had been lead model and die maker at RCA – and left to found his own company – which specialized in those same items. Mr. James Petty – our namesake and also Mr. Starkey’s son-in-law – took over Starkey Tool & Die in 1963, and changed the name to James Petty Engraving. Mr. Petty had been Starkey Tool & Die’s longest-standing employee, and had learned industrial (not decorative) engraving so that it could be accomplished in-house. The Western Electric division of AT&T (also located in Indianapolis) offered so much engraving work that it became the new specialty – and that along with an ownership change – precipitated a name change, as well. In 1978, James Petty Engraving purchased a building in downtown Beech Grove (suburb of Indianapolis) 2 blocks from Amtrak’s national repair and maintenance facility. Amtrak needed contract manufacturing of various custom bolts and assemblies to keep their rail fleet running. This became the new specialty, and precipitated yet another name change. James Petty Engraving became JP Corporation, and also applied for woman-owned SBA status. Wanda Petty – James Petty’s wife and Francis and Cora Starkey’s daughter – became President of JP Corporation. In 2000, JP Corporation added a brand-new addition to the original building to increase size by 70%. Heavy investments in the most modern CNC machinery enabled JP Corporation to greatly increase its production and size capacity, and attract a wide variety of clients and work. Charles Petty – son of James and Wanda Petty – became Vice President & General Manager, and propelled JP Corporation’s growth into the new millennium. In 2009, JP Corporation earned the prestigious Aerospace AS9100 and ISO 9001. Also in 2009, JP Corporation added Robotic Inspection and Control to its 2 newest machines. Today JP Corporation is extremely well-positioned to serve the Heavy Transportation, Aerospace, and Automotive industries; with either very small/fast – or large/contract – production capability. |
