DynaVenture Corp. was formed in 2000 by second generation family members Brian and Earl Eidem and Jo-Ann Thompson.[1] Founding father Harold Eidem started the 60 year dynasty in 1948 in his Vancouver home with his first business Bearing and Transmission Supply (B&T).[2] In 1973 Harold Eidem set up B&T Holdings Ltd to provide centralized services and act as the parent company to all of their business’ locations.[3] In 1976, Harold Eidem died and the ownership of the company was transferred to his sons Brian and Earl Eidem and daughter Jo-Ann Thompson. In 1981, B&T Holdings changed its name to DynaVest Corp. to better indicate the new direction of the companies. In 2000, the Eidem family sold three major components of their holdings to Applied Industrial Technologies.
[4] That same year the company would again change names, DynaVest became DynaVenture and the Eidem family have since increased their holdings in technology and engineering companies.[1]
History
At the end of World War II in February 1948, Harold Eidem left a job at a bearing company to start Bearing and Transmission Supply out of his home in VancouverBritish Columbia.[2] One of Harold's first inventory purchases, from the U.S. Navy, was impounded at the Canadian/US border due to an $1800 Canadian customs bill.[3] Having spent all of his savings on the inventory, Harold turned to his long-time friend Norman Hnatuk living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to pay the duty. Norman got the inventory out of the bond and became a partner in the Bearing and Transmission enterprise.[3]
In November 1948 Norman Hnatuk officially joined Harold in Vancouver and one year later opened a second location in SaskatoonSaskatchewan.[3] In 1950 the B&T Vancouver location was sold to Norman's brother Bill Hnatuk. Harold then joined Norm in Saskatoon where the two grew the company within Saskatchewan. The company has since expanded to have locations throughout North America.[3]
Growth and acquisitions
1950s
B&T created formal distributorships with Hoover Ball and Bearing Co., Orange Roller Bearing Co., Morris Chain, Garlock, and SKF.[2]
1961-Convey IT a materials handling division is formed
1964-B&T was divided into two main divisions: Saskatoon and North Saskatchewan operated under Norm Hnatuk and Regina and South Saskatchewan operated under Harold Eidem[5]
1970-B&T opened Estevan location to accommodate SaskPower coal fire electric power generating stations[3]
1972-Curtis Hoover, a hydraulic (Vickers) distributor/service business in Saskatchewan was acquired, and consequently the company established a new operating unit with locations in Regina and Saskatoon named B&T Fluid Power Ltd.[6]