History

1952

Gran-A-Stone Company was founded by Leon Schlough in 1952. This business manufactured and sold a concrete stone product that was used as a building veneer similar to face brick.

1953

Park Tool Company began as a division of Gran-A-Stone Company. Leon Schlough realized that the Gran-A-Stone product was larger and harder than the brick that masons were accustomed to using. Therefore, he designed and built a hydraulic press to split the Gran-A-Stone because none was available on the market.

1954

The answer to the Gran-A-Stone challenge was a hydraulic masonry cutter known as the HYDRASPLIT Model 888.