
Since
1898, when Harvey Mark Thomas founded the company with its first property,
Hardware and Kindred Trades, Thomas has remained a privately owned business
dedicated to serving the information needs of industry.
During the company's first century, the United States rose to its position as
the world's greatest industrial power. Mr. Thomas' insight, that business
required accurate, up-to-date sourcing information, was the right idea at the
right time. As American industry matured, Thomas matured with it, surviving two
World Wars, one major depression, and several business cycles. Working
hand-in-hand with companies large and small, we helped provide the building
blocks for the fabulous success of American industry.

With
the paradigm shift that the current 'information age' gave rise to, the Thomas
offerings have transitioned into formidable tools and resources for most of the
world. Thomas products provide information worldwide to decision makers across
all industries in electronic formats and print. Given the profound changes
brought on by the Internet, many of our newest initiatives focus on helping
buyers/specifiers get instant detailed information and we're helping suppliers
grow their business through web-based strategies.
Today, we and our affiliates offer a range of regional, national and
international industrial buying guides, product news magazines, information
news services and magazines focusing on the most critical industrial topics,
including technology solutions for production facilities and supply chain
management. Two subsidiaries design custom software solutions and provide
publishing services and/or content management relevant to today's complex issues.
In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships where appropriate, to extend
our presence in this fast-moving digital economy.
As our second hundred years unfolds, the industrial marketplace faces ever
greater challenges. With unmatched resources and expertise to offer this
marketplace, Thomas has refined and extended its role in bringing buyer and
seller together, for mutual benefits, via information products.