SHAPE THROUGH THE YEARS

Shape was founded with faith, determination, commitment and values. More than forty years later, those same ideas drive our organization, as we have grown from a rented building behind a trucking business into a global engineering and manufacturing company.

  • 1974 – Shape Corp. founded
  • 1974 – In-line process developments differentiate roll forming
  • 1975 – First significant order received
  • 1978 – Established corporate headquarters in Grand Haven
  • 1984 – First in-line swept bumper
  • 1986 – E-coat process acquired
  • 1987 – First door beam developed
  • 1990 – First high-tech welders arrive
  • 1991 – First roll formed welded tube
  • 1991 – Tubular swept bumper beam developed
  • 1993 – B-Section bumper developed
  • 1993 – First contract with Japanese automaker
  • 1996 – Grand Haven Technical Center opens
  • 1996 – Shape University established
  • 1998 – Business units formed
  • 1998 – Shape’s first roof bows made
  • 1999 – Window channels developed
  • 2000 – Martensitic steel advancements begin
  • 2001 – Grand Haven Technical Center growth
  • 2001 – Plastic manufacturing expansion
  • 2001 – Themoplastic energy absorbers developed (NetShape)
  • 2001 – Received PACE award for enduring innovation (tubular swept bumper)
  • 2001 – Cross members and truck supports developed
  • 2002 – Window sashes developed
  • 2003 – Shape Japan office opens
  • 2004 – Shape hybrid bumper beam developed
  • 2004 – Powder coat process added
  • 2005 – Advanced Product Development team created
  • 2007 – Power B bumper beam developed
  • 2007 – Variable Sweeping (1D) developed
  • 2008 – Shape China opens in Kunshan, marking first global manufacturing facility
  • 2009 – Variable Sweeping (2D) developed
  • 2010 – Shape Mexico manufacturing facility opens (Queretaro)
  • 2011 – Pedestrian protection expertise grows
  • 2011 – Shape Czech manufacturing facility opens (Plzen)
  • 2012 – Large tonnage, two-shot injection molding added
  • 2012 – Aluminum bumper beam developed
  • 2013 – MonoLeg bumper beam developed
  • 2013 – Shape optimized crush cans developed
  • 2014 – 3D Sweeping Technology developed
  • 2015 – TS-Shape joint venture established
  • 2016 – Shape Mexico’s second manufacturing facility opens (Hermosillo)
  • 2016 – Athens, Alabama manufacturing facility opens
  • 2017 – Shape China’s second manufacturing facility opens (Guangzhou)